close
close

Semainede4jours

Real-time news, timeless knowledge

    • Closing Grangemouth Oil Refinery would hit Scotland’s national security, MP says
    bigrus

    Closing Grangemouth Oil Refinery would hit Scotland’s national security, MP says

    Harry Posted on

    Closing the Grangemouth oil refinery would “jeopardize” Scotland’s national security, a Labor MP has said.

    Brian Leishman said the thousands of jobs lost at the refinery and supply chain would have a devastating impact on the region.

    Under current proposals, PetroIneos, which owns the field on the Firth of Forth, would turn it into an import terminal for finished petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene to be brought to Scotland. Consultations are ongoing about potential closure next year.

    Speaking during the debate on the UK Energy Bill, Mr Leishman, Labor MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, welcomed the legislation. But he said this contradicted the proposal to close the refinery.

    He said: “I have heard it said, and indeed said, that a country’s energy security is linked to its national security, and UK Energy must ultimately help with both. And of course, it was said that GB Energy would create thousands of high-skilled jobs. This is perfect.

    “So what about the jobs of Grangemouth refinery workers? These are the same workers who are now vital to Scotland’s energy security and therefore Scotland’s national security. These workers are nearing the end of a 45-day consultation period that should focus on how jobs can be saved and sustained for these workers.

    “Lately, comments like ‘these workers will be fine’ and ‘everything will be fine because they will find work elsewhere’ have been made. It doesn’t help my community if workers have to leave. Stopping refining will not help Scotland’s fuel supply and national security.

    “There is no doubt that my constituency will be weaker if I lose the refinery. Job losses will reach thousands. “There is no doubt that Scotland will be weaker because of the loss of its refinery.”

    The Unite union, which represents workers at Grangemouth, previously said the proposed closure was an “appalling act of industrial vandalism”. Union bosses have called for the plant to be kept open while low-carbon and renewable energy projects are accelerated to ensure there are no gaps in employment for workers.

    Last month general secretary Sharon Graham told the Unite policy conference in Dundee: “Labour must be forced to act. Grangemouth makes net zero look less like a just transition and more like a jobless transition.”

    The consultation on Grangemouth comes amid the closure of the Finnart oil terminal in West Scotland. The two are connected by pipeline and Finnart will also close next year.

    Mr Leishman said: “Mark my words, shutting down the refinery at Grangemouth and closing Finnart will have enormous consequences for the whole of Scotland. “It won’t be long before pumps on forecourts up and down the country are affected, which means the public will be affected too.”

    He added: “If the refinery closes, jobs will be lost, communities will be impoverished and Scotland’s fuel and national security will certainly be compromised.

    “There are economic, social and moral reasons for keeping Grangemouth running, and if that isn’t enough, as it really should be, then let me also say there is a political reason too, because you will be judged by what you do at the ballot box and then it happens. And only then.” Not in the 2026 Scottish parliamentary elections.

    “Let me tell you that it is not too late for the government to do the right thing. Talk to Unite the union, listen to what they say, communicate and negotiate with Ineos to deliver a proper and genuine just transition and keep Grangemouth running until the new industrial cluster is ready on site.

    STV News is now on WhatsApp

    Get the latest news from around the country

    Follow STV News

    Follow STV News on WhatsApp

    Scan the QR code on your mobile device for the latest news from around the country

    WhatsApp channel QR Code

    Harry
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like