Alexander Dennis job update expected next week, First Minister John Swinney says

An update on potential job cuts at a bus manufacturer is expected next week, the First Minister has said.

John Swinney said the Scottish Government is expecting an update from Alexander Dennis after a final consultation extension on proposals to shut down Scottish operations ends on Monday.

He said it is likely the deputy first minister will be able to update the Scottish Parliament on the Government’s steps sometime next week.

Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL), which has eight sites across the UK including Falkirk and Larbert, announced in June that up to 400 jobs could be axed amid proposals to close operations in Scotland.

The company plans to move to a single site in Yorkshire due to financial concerns.

ADL has been working with the Scottish Government, who have been consulting on the proposals.

Appearing before MSPs in July, ADL managing director Paul Davies said the decision to close Scottish operations was not a “done deal”.

However, he said the company would need to see a significant rise in bus orders – between 70 and 100 by the end of the year and 300 to 400 next year – to remain open.

In August, Alexander Dennis’ Falkirk site was put up for sale, despite consultations on closures continuing.

The company stated that although the Larbert location is listed for sale, a “final decision” was still to be made.

“We are working collaboratively with the company and others in relation to the sourcing of new orders,” Swinney told Holyrood on Thursday.

“I expect there will be the ability to provide a further update on this next week, and the deputy first minister will be able to update Parliament accordingly on the steps we are taking in relation to a salary support scheme and other relevant issues.”