NI Secretary says government doing "all it can" to help find Wrightbus buyer

by PA reporter

Bus buyers need to be encouraged with "economic assistance" to buy British, ministers have been told.

DUP MP Ian Paisley (North Antrim) pushed for the commitment after seeking assurances that potential investors in Wrightbus know what UK Government support looks like, in terms of research and development, soft loans or grants.

The Co Antrim firm went into administration last week with the loss of 1,200 jobs.

It was one of the UK's main bus builders and supplied the "Boris Bus" red double decker Routemaster when Prime Minister Boris Johnson was London mayor.

Asking an urgent question in the Commons, Mr Paisley told Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith: "Could he recognise that the arm's-length bodies, such as Translink and First Group and other bus buyers, need to be encouraged directly with economic assistance to buy more British-made buses.

"Could he ensure in future all bus orders go through British companies therefore supporting British jobs and British investment."

Mr Smith said the Government is making any potential Wrightbus bidders aware of what support could be available, adding: "This is a commercial process. It's been managed by an administrator and many of the actions are required to take place at a devolved level.

"But we will continue, and I do continue, to speak actively to all stakeholders in this issue and I am conducting meetings in the course of this week."

Mr Smith said Chancellor Sajid Javid has committed £220 million to buses in Great Britain, with additional money for Northern Ireland out of that pot, while a bus strategy is being developed.

He added: "I hope both of those initiatives will mean the market for buses and the opportunity for the excellent product produced in Ballymena by Wrightbus will be strong and will encourage investors to take the risk and develop the business further."

On six workers currently in Malaysia, Mr Smith said the administrator has "taken steps in order to get those workers home".