[Falkirk, 31.03.2026] Falkirk MP Euan Stainbank has responded to today’s announcement from Alexander Dennis that up to 115 roles are at risk of redundancy as part of changes to its Scottish manufacturing operations and closure of the Camelon site.
The company has confirmed proposals to retain around 350 roles in Scotland and safeguard approximately 200 previously at risk at a consolidated Larbert site. However, the changes come amid growing concern about the long-term future of domestic bus manufacturing, with the majority of Scottish Government support going to Chinese manufacturers and the majority of new UK-registered zero-emission buses coming from foreign manufacturers in 2025.
Mr Stainbank said the announcement must be seen in the wider context of repeated SNP taxpayer funded grant decisions which have directed public funding overseas, undermining the Scottish industry and workforce.
Mr Stainbank said:
“The simple truth is this: SNP decisions to send bus funding overseas have put Scottish jobs at risk.
“Up to 115 workers in Falkirk are now facing imminent closure, and that is not a coincidence — it follows a pattern of decisions that have weakened domestic manufacturing.
“We know that more than half of zero-emission buses bought in the UK last year were sourced from overseas, despite many being backed by UK taxpayer funding. That is a system that is not working for communities like ours, and one that every Government must now listen to.
“In Scotland, the situation is even more stark. Just last week, £45 million of public money through ScotZEB3 was committed — and once again like the SNP did before with ScotZEB2, most of that funding is going abroad to Chinese manufacturers.
“When Scottish taxpayer funding is used to build buses for Scotland’s roads, they should be built by workers in Scotland.
“Other parts of the UK are making different choices within the same rules. In Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham has backed British-built buses and subsequently supported domestic jobs as he has decarbonised his fleet. There is no reason Scotland could not do the same.”
Mr Stainbank welcomed efforts to safeguard jobs at Larbert but warned that without urgent changes to procurement policy, further losses across the sector remain a real risk.
He confirmed that he has today written jointly with Brian Leishman MP to both the First Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland, urging immediate action to support workers, strengthen procurement rules, and secure the long-term future of bus manufacturing in Scotland.
He is calling on the Scottish Government to review its approach to public procurement and ensure future investment strengthens, rather than undermines, Scotland’s manufacturing base.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Euan Stainbank MP and Brian Leishman MP’s joint letter to Secretary of State Douglas Alexander is available via this link.
- Euan Stainbank MP and Brian Leishman MP’s joint letter to the First Minister of Scotland John Swinney is available via this link.
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