The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry into industrial transition in Scotland | Ochiltree Community Hub | Ochiltree, Ayrshire | Monday 17th November 2025

(Marie pictured with Maureen Burke MP, Lillian Jones MP, Patricia Ferguson MP and Elaine Stewart MP) 

Commenting after giving evidence to a roundtable meeting of the House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee’s inquiry into industrial transition in Scotland, at Ochiltree Community Hub in Ochiltree earlier this week, Dr Marie Macklin CBE said…

“I welcome the opportunity to have shared my views with members of the Scottish Affairs Committee as part of this important inquiry, which must lead to firm policy decisions to help the process of industrial transition.

“Above all it is vital that the lessons of the past are learned so that mistakes are not replicated. That means there should be no repeat of the policies which saw so many individuals and communities cast aside as part of the transition from traditional heavy industry more than a generation ago.

“I well remember the devastating impact of those changes on communities like my own in Ayrshire. Unfortunately, recent announcements concerning industrial facilities at Grangemouth and Mossmorran show that there is a danger of that happening again.

“The transition to a new economy cannot mean throwing workers on the scrapheap and leaving communities behind. That means we need joined up action from the UK and Scottish Governments, working in partnership with other agencies and the private sector.”