UK Government ‘failing to protect jobs’ at Grangemouth as oil refinery faces closure
Tory ministers have been blasted by a leading trade union for “failing to protect jobs” at the closure-threatened Grangemouth oil refinery.
Unite today blasted Alister Jack, the Scottish Secretary, for failing to meet with some of the 500 workers who could lose their jobs if owners Petroineos press forward with plans to convert the refinery into an import depot.
The energy giant – a partnership between Ineos and the Chinese government – announced last year that it expects to close the refinery by spring 2025.
The wider Grangemouth industrial site, including the petrochemical plant, would continue as normal.
Unite is pushing for the closure of the refinery to be delayed and for more investment in the huge complex, which is a backbone of the Scottish economy.
It has ramped up the pressure on the UK and Scottish Governments in recent weeks after accusing ministers of ignoring the future of Grangemouth.
Derek Thomson, Unite Scottish Secretary, said: “The position of the UK Government and the Scottish Conservatives over the future of the Petroineos oil refinery has been disgraceful.
“Unite has requested meetings with the Secretary of State for Scotland, Alister Jack, in order to explore every option possible to secure an extension and further investment into the refinery but he has refused outright to meet us and the workforce.
“The Secretary of State seems to believe that monthly Zoom meetings organised by the Grangemouth Industrial Just Transition Leadership Forum (IJTLF) is the maximum effort required by him to help protect 500 highly-skilled jobs at Grangemouth.
“The Scottish Conservatives have been posted missing throughout this whole process and they should be utterly ashamed that they and their colleagues in UK Government haven’t lifted one finger to help protect these jobs.
“Make no mistake, Unite will hold them to account for their abject failure to protect jobs.”
A spokesman for the UK Government said: “We know this is a concerning time for workers and their families, and we are working closely with local partners, the Scottish Government and Grangemouth refinery on the long-term future of the site and how they are supporting staff.
“We are working to maximise the opportunities presented by the £40m of UK Government funding into the Falkirk Growth Deal. This investment comes in addition to the new Forth Freeport, which will attract investment in green technologies, alternative fuels and renewable energy manufacturing, and aims to create tens of thousands of new jobs.
“The UK Government will always back the North Sea oil and gas sector and green industries, such as offshore wind and carbon capture and storage, to protect our energy security, attract investment and create opportunities for communities in Scotland and across the UK.”
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