March 2026

The future of Scotland’s manufacturing base cannot be left to drift on warm words and Westminster inaction. The situation facing Alexander Dennis is a case in point and one that demands urgent attention.

For months, the Scottish Government has stepped up where it can. A £4.1 million furlough scheme, unprecedented in its approach, has helped protect hundreds of skilled jobs at risk in Falkirk and Larbert. At the same time, investment through the ScotZEB3 fund is supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles, securing orders and sustaining vital industrial capacity.

But there is only so much that can be done within devolved powers.

The SNP established a £500 million, 10-year Just Transition Fund to help the north east lead the move to a net-zero economy and secure the jobs of the future.

But the UK Government has refused to match that ambition.

£41,000 will be made available to enable Unite the Union to support the delivery of the Grangemouth Jobs Prioritisation Scheme which makes it conditional for any business receiving investment through the Grangemouth Just Transition Fund to prioritise affected workers when recruiting for new roles.

Child poverty in Scotland is at its lowest level in 30 years.

Independent charities say Scotland’s rates are now significantly lower than in England and Wales – helped by measures like the Scottish Child Payment.

The SNP Scottish Government’s five family payments can be worth over £10,000 by the time a child turns six – and around £25,000 by the time they turn sixteen.

Scotland continues to lead the way in restoring our natural environment – with record levels of peatland restoration and tree planting.

In 2024/25 alone, Scotland created 8,470 hectares of new woodland – more than half of all new woodland across the UK.

Over the past 15 years, the Scottish Government has spent more than £1.3 billion protecting people from the worst of UK welfare cuts like the bedroom tax and the benefit cap.

That’s money Scotland has had to find just to shield families from policies imposed by Westminster.