THE SNP has “sold out Scottish workers” by sending investments, contracts and jobs abroad, according to Anas Sarwar.

The Scottish Labour leader made the remarks just one day after bus builder Alexander Dennis announced plans to close its Falkirk plant, plunging the future of 115 workers into jeopardy.

The Scottish government had come under criticism from local MPs after the lion’s share of its £45 million fund to renew buses was spent in China, rather than with domestic manufacturers like Alexander Dennis.

Speaking in Glasgow, Mr Sarwar also pointed to CalMac ferry contracts placed in Turkey as he accused the SNP of not having a “serious industrial strategy, or any plan to support workers.”

He said: “The SNP has failed Scottish industry and sold out Scottish workers.

“After all their rhetoric, too often they have waved through contracts that send Scottish jobs, Scottish wages and Scottish opportunity out of the country.

“That is a political choice, and Scotland is paying the price.”

Mr Sarwar pledged to embed “social and economic value” in public contracts and establish a long-term procurement plan for shipbuilding; expand innovation support for Scottish firms; revamp business support and training for small and medium firms bidding for contracts; and improve data on local procurement so ministers “can no longer hide where public money is going.”

He said: “That means changing the rules so public contracts deliver real social and economic value, giving Scottish firms certainty about future work and helping more businesses here win and deliver public contracts.

“We need a proper industrial strategy so we build more of our ferries, buses, trains, wind turbines and vital infrastructure here in Scotland.

“Under the SNP, Scotland has been weaker because ministers have failed to back our own workers and industries.

“On May 7, vote Scottish Labour on both votes for the change Scotland needs.”

SNP depute leader, Keith Brown hit back, saying: “The name Grangemouth must mean nothing to Anas Sarwar and the Labour Party — the brass neck is quite incredible, but completely typical of a desperate man utterly lacking in substance.

“Anas Sarwar and Keir Starmer sat back and did nothing while thousands of Scottish workers were cast on the scrapheap as Grangemouth and Mossmorran were shut down.

“Scottish workers haven’t forgotten Anas Sarwar’s broken promise to save Grangemouth and they won’t forget come May.”