Domestic bus manufacturers should be favoured over overseas companies, the Prime Minister has declared in Parliament, throwing his support behind Scarborough's Alexander Dennis factory.
Domestic bus manufacturers will receive stronger government backing against overseas competition, following new commitments made in Parliament. Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed his intention to support British businesses this week, specifically highlighting Scarborough's major bus builder, Alexander Dennis.
The manufacturing facility in Scarborough employs hundreds of local staff and is a crucial part of the world’s largest manufacturer of double-decker buses. Alexander Dennis currently stands as Britain’s biggest bus builder, but the wider industry has faced significant challenges from foreign competitors.
Speaking during a debate in the House of Commons earlier this week, the Prime Minister said:
"Too many buses are being bought from companies outside our shores, when we have Wrightbus in Northern Ireland and Alexander Dennis Ltd in Scotland and Scarborough. We should be doing more to back British business, and MPs can expect that fully from me, as well as commitments to the shipbuilding industry."
The prime ministerial pledge of support follows a stark warning from Alexander Dennis regarding the difficult economic conditions currently facing the domestic manufacturing sector.
A spokesperson for the company stated:
"The UK bus manufacturing sector is under intense pressure – costs are rising and half of all new buses now come from overseas."
Scarborough and Whitby MP Alison Hume has consistently been a vocal champion of the coastal town, frequently describing it as a centre of excellence for bus manufacturing.
Last year, she used her platform to challenge the Chancellor to back British companies as public transport networks undergo major structural changes across the country.
Addressing Parliament during that previous session, Ms Hume asked:
"As bus services are brought back into the control of mayors and local authorities, will the Government use public procurement to back British companies such as Alexander Dennis to boost economic growth?"
In response to the question, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the Government was scheduled to publish a new national procurement policy statement. The upcoming statement aims to set out clear priorities for public procurement to support the broader national mission of growing the economy.
The Chancellor said:
"Ms Hume is a good advocate for businesses, including Alexander Dennis in Scarborough. We recognise the importance of buses in growing our economy by getting people to work, but also the opportunities to use public procurement to buy more buses made in this country, supporting good jobs here in Britain."
Despite the high-profile political backing and the factory's status as a major regional employer, the Scarborough site has experienced recent industrial action. Around four hundred workers walked out on two separate occasions this summer during an ongoing dispute over wages.
Commenting on the strike action earlier this year, Ms Hume said:
"Alexander Dennis is a major employer in Scarborough, supporting hundreds of local livelihoods and playing a vital role in our economy. While the company faces intense competition from overseas manufacturers, the workforce, without doubt, remains its greatest asset."
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