The MP representing Grangemouth has expressed frustration over the “underwhelming” responses from his Labour colleagues, including the Prime Minister and Chancellor, regarding the looming job cuts at the Grangemouth oil refinery. Brian Leishman, the MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, described the redundancy situation as “the definition of an unjust transition” and criticized both the UK and Scottish governments for their handling of the crisis.
Speaking on BBC Scotland’s The Sunday Show, Leishman expressed his concerns that despite promises from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar to spend millions saving jobs, there has been little action. “Anas Sarwar has been very quiet on the issue,” Leishman remarked, highlighting the lack of response from his party’s leadership. “People were expecting more,” he added, particularly after Sarwar’s assurances that Labour would invest heavily in safeguarding jobs at the refinery, according to the Express.
The situation at Grangemouth has grown dire, with Petroineos, the refinery’s owners, announcing significant job cuts. Earlier this month, redundancy letters were sent to staff, with only about 65 of the 500 jobs at the site expected to be retained. The closure, set to transition the site into an import terminal, follows reports of massive losses at the refinery.
Leishman also criticized the UK government’s response, noting that despite his questions to the Prime Minister and Chancellor, their answers have been “incredibly underwhelming.” He emphasized that the loss of jobs at Grangemouth would not only affect his constituency but would have broader implications for Scotland’s economy. “We’re not just talking about my constituency, my local community, we’re talking about all of Scotland,” he said.
A feasibility report on transforming Grangemouth into a low-carbon energy hub is expected to be published by the end of the month, but Leishman expressed concern that the findings of the report may not be implemented in time to save the refinery. “If Project Willow’s recommendations aren’t ready for years to come and the refinery closes in 2025, that’s the definition of an unjust transition,” he said. He further stated that neither government could claim to have a credible industrial strategy if they allowed such an outcome to unfold.
Leishman also addressed the idea of nationalizing Grangemouth, suggesting that the refinery offers substantial economic benefits to Scotland. “This isn’t just about running a business; it’s about the broader economic implications for Scotland,” he said.
SNP MSP Michelle Thomson, representing Falkirk East, echoed Leishman’s concerns, urging the Scottish Government to take stronger action. She called for a meeting with Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to discuss halting the refinery’s closure.
In response, the Scottish Government’s acting energy secretary, Gillian Martin, assured that support would be provided for those affected by the job cuts, including tailored retraining programs. “We stand ready to support everyone impacted by Petroineos’s plans to close the refinery,” she said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting affected workers.
A Scottish Labour spokeswoman also commented, stating that Labour had been working to attract investment into the Grangemouth area, including a £100 million package to support the workforce. However, critics argue that the government’s response has not been sufficient to address the scale of the crisis.
