Grangemouth’s refining chapter has closed after a century, but political leaders insist its industrial story is far from over.
First Minister John Swinney has called the closure a deeply sad moment for the country and warned that lives and livelihoods hang in the balance.
He said the decision to end oil refining at the site was short-sighted and urged the UK Government to intervene before it is too late.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has now added her voice, warning that warm words must become real action to protect Scottish industry.
She welcomed the UK Government’s pledge of £200 million through the National Wealth Fund, but stressed that this money must be deployed quickly and clearly.
Forbes said it was unacceptable that Project Willow proposals may not meet current fund criteria, risking a situation where Scotland is offered help but denied real support.
She pointed to recent UK Government action in Scunthorpe as an example of what decisive backing looks like and said Scotland deserves no less.
Both ministers agreed that the future of Grangemouth must be secured through bold investment, not empty promises.
Swinney reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to transition the site into a green industrial hub, with £25 million already allocated to a Just Transition Fund.
He also highlighted a £450,000 skills programme being delivered by Forth Valley College to help displaced workers retrain and access future opportunities.
Forbes reinforced the need for pace and urgency in delivering economic backing, warning that high-quality jobs could be lost forever without immediate action.
She also urged the UK Government to finally deliver progress on the long-delayed Acorn Carbon Capture project at Peterhead, after funding was once again directed toward projects in England.
The Scottish Cluster, she said, must not be left behind while the rest of the UK benefits from the transition to net zero.
Both ministers said the people of Grangemouth have shown professionalism and resilience and must now be shown the same from government.
They called for full transparency around the assets at the refinery site and a strategy to maximise their use for green economic growth.
They made clear that the site still has a vital role to play in Scotland’s industrial future if governments work together with purpose.
The message is clear – this is not the end for Grangemouth, but the beginning of a battle to shape what comes next.
Scotland’s future industrial strength, and its path to a greener economy, may well depend on what happens now.
