Shone Robison, the Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government has written a letter to Economy and Fair Work Committee convenor Colin Smyth, offering support to beleaguered bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Ltd (ADL).

ADL has announced plans to close its Falkirk and Larbert facilities in Scotland and move to a single site in Scarborough, putting over 400 jobs at risk.

The full missive can be read HERE but Robison says she is in “full agreement with you about the importance of Alexander Dennis to Scotland and of retaining the jobs of the highly skilled workers. That is why we are continuing to work at pace with Scottish Enterprise and UK Government, and alongside the company and trade unions, to explore all viable options to support ADL to retain bus manufacturing in Scotland. I welcome your continued support.”

In the letter Robison warned that moving to England could have financial implications for the company.

“Scottish Enterprise is continuing to work closely with ADL to try to find a positive solution,” she wrote, noting: “Should the company proceed with its decision to close its Scottish facilities, the financial assistance that has been paid to the company may be subject to clawback and it will be up to Scottish Enterprise how to proceed in those circumstances.”

(Pic: Stagecoach/Alexander Dennis)