Greene criticises potential closure of Scottish bus builders

Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesperson Jamie Greene MSP has today said that the wheels are falling off the SNP’s economic strategy as it was announced that bus builder Alexander Dennis has launched a consultation on potentially closing its Falkirk and Larbert sites and moving all production to Scarborough, citing a lack of forthcoming work.

Commenting on the reports, Mr Greene said:

“It’s pretty damning that a firm with such strong Scottish roots is considering shifting production to Yorkshire. The wheels are coming off the SNP’s economic strategy.

“This will be a very tough day for the local workforce. It will be made worse knowing that most of the buses purchased by the Scottish Government as part of their Zero Emission Bus Challenge were procured from outside of Scotland, despite local manufacturers crying out for new businesses.

“Ministers should sit down with bus company bosses and thrash out a solution that maintains secure and well-paying jobs in Scotland.”