Scotland’s previous deindustrialisation offers lessons on how to avoid repeating “past mistakes”, a Commons committee has concluded. The Scottish Affairs Committee’s annual report published on Friday marks the conclusion of its Industrial Transition in Scotland inquiry. It was launched to provide a high-level assessment of the long-term impact of deindustrialisation in Scotland, and to identify lessons that can be applied today. The MPs concluded Scotland’s experience of deindustrialisation offers a stark warning: when communities are not adequately supported throughout an industrial transition, the consequences are lasting. Committee chairwoman Patricia Ferguson said: “We heard about the lasting impact of past mistakes during deindustrialisation – as Scotland faces further industrial transitions, it’s vital these mistakes are not repeated.