The SNP has hit out at the Labour Government after it announced further support for English steelworks while the Grangemouth refinery remains without the promised cash and no parliamentary statement in sight.
This week, Labour minister Sarah Jones told MPs the UK Government would “pursue every option” to keep steelmaking alive in England and offer “all possible support” to Liberty Steel in Yorkshire.
But the announcement sparked fresh anger north of the border, with the SNP accusing Westminster of ignoring the crisis at Grangemouth, where crude oil production has ceased and 400 jobs have already been lost.
Chris Law MP, SNP spokesperson for business, told the House of Commons it was “a shame no minister has ever given a statement in this House on Grangemouth”.
He said Chancellor Rachel Reeves had failed to even raise the refinery in a private meeting with Ineos chair Sir Jim Ratcliffe shortly before the closure, a detail revealed in an SNP Freedom of Information request.
“The Labour government never stood with the workers of Grangemouth,” said Law.
“It is absolutely right that the UK Government acts to support industry and jobs in England.
“But it would seem for Sir Keir Starmer, industry and jobs become more critical when they fall south of the Tweed.”
The Labour Government has pledged support for steel sites in Yorkshire and Scunthorpe and found £100 billion for new nuclear plants in England, but has ruled out nationalising Grangemouth, once described as Scotland’s most important industrial site.
The SNP said Scotland’s largest oil refinery has been left to close without a single UK Government proposal to protect jobs or keep the site operational.
“Scotland doesn’t even register as a thought at all,” Law said.
“Only with independence can we prioritise Scottish industry, Scottish growth and Scotland’s people.”
Grangemouth had been in line for a £200 million investment package, but there is still no sign of that funding, and no indication of what will happen to the remaining roles at the site.
The closure comes despite Labour’s repeated promises to support key industries and regions “across the UK”.
The SNP has called on Westminster to explain why action was taken to secure sites in England, but not one proposal was brought forward to protect the future of Grangemouth.
