CHOOSE – Local Manufacturing

The future of Scotland’s manufacturing base cannot be left to 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 UK Government holds the key levers on procurement and subsidy control, powers that could make the difference between long-term stability and continued uncertainty for domestic manufacturers like Alexander Dennis. Promises were made by Labour ministers to “explore all avenues of support.” Yet, to date, there has been little clarity on what that actually means in practice.

That silence is not just disappointing, it is deeply concerning.

Current procurement rules favour overseas firms and disadvantage UK manufacturers. Changes to these rules, alongside the Subsidy Control Act, would allow stronger support for domestic industry and help protect jobs.

This is about fair competition and recognising the value of UK-based manufacturing.

Alexander Dennis has warned that “the output of the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel does not place enough focus on the significant jobs and economic contribution the domestic bus manufacturers make to the UK.”

Without that shift, opportunities will be lost. Workers and their communities need certainty, not continued risk.

The UK Government must now move beyond rhetoric and deliver on its commitments. A long-term pipeline of orders, meaningful procurement reform, and a supportive policy framework are not optional, they are essential.

Scotland’s industrial future depends on it.