Wrightbus job losses a ‘hard blow after takeover euphoria’

DUP MP Ian Paisley called for a “hydrogen bus strategy for the UK” to be brought forward, while the TUV MLA Jim Allister has also urged “government and all other interests” to get behind the “hydrogen bus revolution”.

The North Antrim politicians were reacting to the announcement by Wrightbus that it will be making 35 permanent employees redundant, with another 90 agency workers likely to be phased out over a period of time that the firm said will be “kept under review”.

TUV MLA Jim Allister described the announcement as a “hard blow so soon after the euphoria of the Bamford takeover”.

But Wrightbus has stressed that the 575 staff that remain is still a “ten-fold increase” in the number of employees it inherited when Wrightbus was bought out of administration by the industrialist Jo Bamford in October.

The company also stresses that it hopes to grow the workforce to 1,000 by the end of next year.

Chief executive Buta Atwal said: “When we saved Wrightbus from administration last year, there were only about 50 employees, and since then we have grown the workforce to 700.”

The company put the decision to “trim the workforce” down to the economic downturn due to the coronavirus pandemic.

North Antrim MP Ian Paisley said: “It is very disappointing that Wrightbus have been forced to announce redundancies.

“Since the company was taken over it has been growing the workforce steadily. I share the company’s hope that their long-term vision can still be achieved.

There are obvious fears about the longer-term impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the wider Northern Ireland economy and that such redundancies will escalate in the future. Specifically within bus manufacturing there is action the Government can take to assist. If they brought forward the much-needed hydrogen bus strategy for the UK it could be transformative for the wider transport sector.

Wrightbus have world-leading technology and pressing ahead with greater production of hydrogen powered buses could see some of the drop in air pollution witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic maintained. These are buses which could hit UK streets quickly, delivering real economic and environmental benefits.

“This is obviously a very difficult time for many people, and the impact of financial assistance from the Government should not be underestimated. However, by taking action such as this in relation to hydrogen power the Government can assist the path to economic recovery and sow the seeds for much longer-term benefits.”

TUV MLA Jim Allister said: “The loss of up to 125 jobs at Wrightbus so soon after the euphoria of the Bamford takeover is a hard blow for the workforce and district.

“The key task now is to ensure this is the last we hear of job losses at Wrightbus. That can be achieved by government and all other interests getting behind the hydrogen bus revolution that Wrightbus is leading.

“In the green energy alternatives Wrightbus producing hydrogen fuelled buses is the far better option for Northern Ireland, and indeed the whole UK, than preference to battery charged buses whose technology mostly comes from China.

“Some recent promotion of such battery driven buses by the Department of Transport in London is not helpful.”

He continued: “Wrightbus will ultimately will be able to produce both. but the its head start In hydrogen must not be wasted.

“Indeed, what is now required is a concerted effort by Stormont, private enterprise and the local council to create a hydrogen hub in BALLYMENA, which is something I will be asking to discuss with the Economy minister in the near future.“

TUV councillor Timothy Gaston added: “Council must, and I believe will, join in any concerted effort to ensure the future of Wrightbus. Creating a hydrogen hub in Ballymena is, I believe, the way to go and therefore I will be trying with colleagues to energise this drive.”