UNITE have slammed the Scottish government’s “inaction and silence” as 400 jobs are plunged into jeopardy at the Scottish plants of bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis.

On Wednesday, the the firm announced plans to centralise production in Scarborough, suspending operations at Larbert after current contracts are fulfilled, and closing their Falkirk site altogether in a move Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called a “huge economic blow” following the closure of the nearby Grangemouth refinery.

 “Highlyskilled jobs are being lost and government ministers are guilty of sitting idly by,” she added. “They will not be forgiven for their inaction and silence.”

At First Minister’s Questions, John Swinney argued state aid rules prevented using procurement to intervene.

But Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar hit back: “I suggest he picks up the phone to [Greater Manchester Mayor] Andy Burnham and see how he managed to do it,” he said.

In a statement, Mr Burnham said: “Bee Network buses are a bit of Scotland right here in Greater Manchester.

“We have over 160 Alexander Dennis buses criss-crossing our city region every day.

“If Greater Manchester can invest in world-class Scottish bus manufacturing, then why can’t the SNP Scottish government?”