Promises Unkept: Grangemouth Workers Demand Action on £200 Million Investment

Union officials at Grangemouth have publicly accused Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of failing to fulfill a substantial £200 million investment promise essential for the site’s future. The Grangemouth refinery, owned by Petroineos, halted its crude oil processing in April, directly resulting in the loss of 400 jobs and affecting many others linked to the supply chain. Despite an ongoing fuel distribution hub and a sizable petrochemical plant, the Unite union insists that a funding package, initially announced in February to aid in transitioning to green energy projects, has yet to come to fruition.

Sir Keir Starmer, during the Scottish Labour conference, had committed the funding from the National Wealth Fund, describing it as a vital investment in Scotland’s industrial future. However, the union claims that “not a penny” of this promised cash has been disbursed. Sharon Graham, the Unite general secretary, criticized the Labour government for failing to protect British jobs and vital infrastructure, stating that the promises made to Grangemouth workers have been squandered. She pointed out that the government’s inaction reveals a stark absence of a transition plan, exacerbating job security issues for the site’s workforce.

Additionally, a collaborative study funded by both the UK and Scottish governments, known as Project Willow, explored alternative uses for the Grangemouth site. Unite claims that it has a well-defined plan aimed at transforming the refinery into a source for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and stressed the urgency for the government to actualize its promises.

Chris Hamilton, a senior union representative and Grangemouth worker, echoed the sentiments of abandonment shared by his colleagues and community members. He emphasized that as redundant workers leave the site, empty promises linger in their minds, and the government must swiftly act to secure the site’s sustainable future.

In June, UK energy minister Michael Shanks indicated that announcements regarding Grangemouth’s future would be forthcoming and highlighted ongoing discussions with over 80 potential investors for prospective projects. Despite the discouragement expressed by union officials, a UK government spokesperson reiterated their commitment to the workforce and detailed the unprecedented support provided after taking office, acknowledging the challenges faced by workers and their families. They stressed plans are underway to encourage private investment for decarbonizing the economy, aiming to allocate upwards of tens of billions of pounds towards projects focusing on clean energy initiatives, with an initial £5.8 billion set aside for green projects.