The UK Government is facing sharp criticism for refusing to reveal how much public money has been spent to protect jobs at a refinery in England, while workers at Scotland’s last remaining oil refinery face closure without intervention.
The SNP has accused the Labour-led UK Government of adding “insult to injury” to staff at the Grangemouth refinery, following its refusal to disclose details of funding provided to the Prax Lindsey site in Lincolnshire.
The issue was raised again in the House of Commons by SNP Energy spokesperson Graham Leadbitter MP, who demanded clarity on how much public money had been committed.
His call came after a similar question tabled earlier this month was also met with silence.
Labelled “secretive” by Mr Leadbitter, the lack of transparency has fuelled concerns among Scottish workers that they are being sidelined in favour of English industrial interests.
Meanwhile, repeated SNP calls to nationalise the Grangemouth facility and secure its future have gone unanswered.
“Grangemouth staff deserved far better from the UK Government,” said Mr Leadbitter.
“And to add insult to injury, they’re now being forced to watch as untold sums are spent protecting jobs elsewhere, while their own livelihoods hang in the balance.”
Earlier this year, Westminster was recalled to debate the future of British Steel in Scunthorpe, resulting in government-backed efforts to secure that site’s future.
Yet no such urgency or investment has been extended to Grangemouth, despite its vital role in Scotland’s energy infrastructure and the hundreds of jobs it supports.
Mr Leadbitter said the contrast exposes a lack of care for Scotland’s workforce.
“The Labour Government cannot seriously claim to be standing up for Scottish workers when it refuses to answer basic questions about public money or take any meaningful action to safeguard our energy sector,” he said.
“Grangemouth is a test.
“A test of how seriously this government takes Scotland and our economic needs.
“And right now, it’s clear we’re barely an afterthought.”
He urged ministers to change course, nationalise the refinery and bring forward an industrial strategy focused on securing a long-term future for Scotland’s energy workers.
As political pressure builds, the call for action grows louder and for the staff at Grangemouth, the clock continues to tick.
