Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has held the UK Government accountable on their plans to utilise skilled workers in renewable infrastructure projects, following the cessation of operations at Grangemouth.
The Grangemouth oil refinery closure was first announced by its owner Petroineos in November 2023, and yesterday operations ceased.
This closure is predicted to cause the loss of 400 jobs.
The Labour Government has subsequently been challenged to fulfil their pledge to support the refinery workers in the aftermath of the closure.
Contrastingly, in pursuit of net zero targets, the UK Government recently announced an investment of more than £55 million for the expansion of the Port of Cromarty Firth in the Highlands.
This investment is being made with the purpose of creating offshore wind supply chains in the UK – signalling the Government’s move away from fossil fuels.
During Parliamentary questions to the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, Mr Stone challenged Labour’s efforts to protect skilled workers – to which the Secretary of State responded by saying his Government will ‘take advantage of the huge economic opportunity’ that this investment in Highland renewables presents.
Commenting, Mr Stone said:
“I’ve said it time and time again, skilled workers are everything. We should not be taking them for granted – and the loss of over 400 workers from Grangemouth is a damning contradiction to this.
“Moving away from fossil fuels is a necessary decision.
“However, it does not need to mean the end for people who already have the capacity to work on large-scale projects.
“My colleagues and I want to see a just transition.
“The Government’s recent investment in the Port of Cromarty Firth was a step in the right direction.
“Nevertheless, it’s always necessary to remind the Government that they will be held firmly accountable for the promises they make.”
