Redundancy letters have actually been sent out to personnel at the Grangemouth refinery as closure impends, the information company recognizes.
It was revealed in 2014 that the main Scotland center would certainly shut and change right into being an import incurable as proprietors Petroineos reported substantial losses.
The change is anticipated to maintain around 65 of the approximately 500 tasks on the website and redundancy letters have actually started being handed to personnel.
It is recognized just a handful of redundancies are compulsory.
Sharon Graham, basic assistant of profession union Unite, claimed the closure is a “national disgrace” and a “needless act of industrial vandalism”.
She claimed: “There is a clear plan for the future of Grangemouth in place. Yet the UK and Scottish governments are missing in action.”
She asserted Grangemouth might be utilized to create lasting aeronautics gas.
“Just last week the UK Government announced the expansion of Heathrow and said that sustainable air fuel (SAF) will be needed. Well, Grangemouth can produce SAF – where is the joined up thinking?” she claimed.
“This the moment for the Government to lead and stand up to Petroineos in the national interest. Petroineos must allow the transition to SAF and biofuels.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham hit out at the news (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
“If the company refuses, the Government should be the investor of first resort. There will be 3,500% increase in SAF demand. The market is there.
“Today’s announcement will not deter us. We will fight for the future of the refinery and the associated jobs.”
A representative for Petroineos claimed: “From Q2 this year, Grangemouth will be ready to operate as a national fuel distribution hub that ensures Scotland’s supply of finished fuels is protected.
“The process of safely transitioning the site from a refinery into an import terminal is under way and will continue over a number of months.
“Fully winding down and dismantling the refinery is anticipated to take around five years in total, so the new terminal business will operate in parallel with this process.”
Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes defined the information as “deeply regrettable”, including: “The Scottish Government believes that refining at Grangemouth should continue, and a premature closure of the refinery is fundamentally short-sighted and detrimental to the transition to net zero.
“We stand ready to support everyone impacted and have announced dedicated skills support for those facing redundancy.
“We will continue to do everything we can, within our limited powers, to secure a long-term future for Grangemouth.
“However, the UK Government has so far failed to live up to its commitments or offer any assurances about the future of Grangemouth and its workforce.
“We continue to urge the UK Government to bring forward real investment to save Grangemouth, and the jobs, businesses and livelihoods which depend on it.”
Local Labour MP Brian Leishman– that has actually consistently asked for the refinery to be nationalised– claimed his “worst fears have come to pass” as he struck out at his very own celebration.
“Despite promises made during the election, the Labour Government has not moved quickly enough to secure a future for the refinery,” he claimed.
“The complacency shown by both the UK and Scottish governments has been appalling.
“This closure will have devastating consequences, with the effects reverberating around the whole of Scotland.
“Grangemouth refinery has been a cornerstone of the country’s industrial economy and the Government should have stepped in to manage its transition with strategic investment that could have allowed it to play a leading role in the UK’s clean energy transition.”
Local SNP MSP Michelle Thomson claimed she was “shocked and angry”.
She included: “A huge number of people are losing their jobs as a result of the premature decision to close the refinery.
“The effect on both the local community in my constituency of Falkirk East and Scotland more widely will be enormous, and my priority, as always, is supporting those impacted at this difficult time.
“The workers at Grangemouth and their families have been let down by the Labour Party, who promised to save Grangemouth.
“It is on them to finally deliver the support that was promised.”
Scottish Conservative web absolutely no spokesperson Douglas Lumsden claimed: “The loss of over 400 jobs at the refinery will be a hammer blow for the local economy, yet both SNP and Labour ministers have been missing in action.
“They have turned their backs on Scotland’s oil and gas industry and it is clear they want to accelerate its demise.”
Scottish Green MSP Gillian Mackay claimed: “This is a brutal blow for Scotland, but particularly for the community I grew up in and the workers who I know well.
“I know how hurt the community feels at this time; my thoughts are with everyone.
“This is the opposite of the just transition that is needed for the site and for Grangemouth.
“We have known for a long time that change is needed.
“The workers at Grangemouth are some of the most talented and skilled anywhere in Scotland, they must be at the heart of shaping Scotland’s green industrial future.
“Scotland deserves better; what is happening in Grangemouth is a warning sign for the lack of Government support for the just transition in Scotland.”
A representative for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero claimed: “We know this is a concerning time for workers and their families, and we are leaving no stone unturned to find a viable long-term future for Grangemouth.
“Before July, there was no overall plan for the future of the Grangemouth refinery.
“Within weeks, we worked with the Scottish Government to put together an unprecedented £100 milion package to support the community and invest in the local workforce, along with tailored support to secure good, alternative jobs.
“We are also jointly funding Project Willow with £1.5 million, which is urgently engaging with trade unions and developing options for a sustainable industrial future at the site.”
The Scottish federal government has actually been requested remark.
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