Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar has welcomed a commitment by Metro Mayors across England to work together to boost British bus manufacturing.

Ahead of a summit convened by Mr Sarwar later this week, the mayors of London, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North East England, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire pledged greater collaboration in future bus procurement.

The summit was a response by the Labour leader to Alexander Dennis’s proposal to move manufacturing from its Falkirk and Larbert operations to Scarborough in North Yorkshire.

It subsequently emerged that the Scottish Government had been ordering buses from China.

Mr Sarwar said a govenment he would lead at Holyrood would work with Mayors, the UK Labour Government and domestic bus producers to support a more joined-up approach to bus manufacturing. 

The Labour-led Greater Manchester Combined Authority under Andy Burnham has already purchased over 160 buses from Alexander Dennis in Larbert—almost four times more than the SNP Scottish Government.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has recently ordered nearly 60 new electric vehicles.

London alone accounts for 30–50% of all new bus orders in the UK annually and has been key in supporting thousands of skilled jobs across the country, including at Alexander Dennis and Wrightbus. 

The UK Labour Government’s Spending Review confirmed £15.6 billion for transport in mayoral authorities – expected to deliver an additional £1.5 billion for the Scottish Government’s transport budget.

The new approach to joint procurement aligns with the UK Labour Government’s UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel, which brings together mayors, industry, and local leaders to ensure Britain remains at the forefront of clean transport manufacturing.

Mr Sarwar said: “This is powerful statement of intent from Labour Mayors who are working together to back Scottish and British industry and support good jobs – like those at Alexander Dennis.

“While the SNP send contracts abroad and fails to defend Scottish manufacturing, Labour in power is showing what can be done – delivering through joined-up leadership.

Liverpool City Region’s Labour Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Backing British manufacturing is a win-win – it supports skilled jobs, boosts the economy, and helps us build the greener future we all want to see.

“What Anas is doing in bringing mayors together to work across borders and across governments is the kind of leadership we need more of.

“A Scottish Labour Government working alongside a Labour government in Westminster and Labour Mayors across the country would be a powerful force for good: defending jobs, supporting industry and delivering for communities from Larbert to Liverpool.”