Time is already running out for hundreds of Grangemouth refinery workers who are set to lose their jobs next year. Petroineos signalled almost a year ago that it was preparing to end oil refining at the giant industrial complex on the Forth but final confirmation was only announced last month.
Unions believe that was ample time for the UK and Scottish governments to thrash out a deal with the refinery owners to either extend its lifespan or have an alternative strategy to secure jobs at the site.
Politicians love talking about a just transition away from oil and gas towards a more sustainable future – but there has been precious little evidence of it so far. Keir Starmer and John Swinney discussed the future of Grangemouth again yesterday in Edinburgh.
While it’s positive the issue of jobs remains high up the political agenda, workers need less finger-pointing and more firm commitments. There is a joint agreement to examine alternative industries that could develop at the site but unions believe that won’t produce concrete results for a decade.
That’s no use to workers fearing the loss of their livelihoods in the next year. Labour has been in power at Westminster for 100 days and the new UK Government needs to demonstrate it is different from the Conservatives when it comes to saving jobs.
Grangemouth has limitless potential and could fuel Scotland’s economy for another century – if appropriate investment is secured. But it must come soon or more highly skilled jobs could be lost.
Clash over cash
Our children’s education is too important to become a political football kicked between Holyrood and local councils. The Scottish Government is right when it says teacher numbers should be preserved across schools.
But SNP ministers can’t ignore the fact that local authority budgets have been decimated in recent years. As a result, town halls are scrambling around trying to make savings any way they can.
One of the biggest reasons for the current financial crisis in local authorities is the Scottish Government’s repeated policy of freezing council tax. It amounted to a generous handout that benefited the wealthiest households most.
But it has completely undermined the ability of councils to fund themselves sustainably – and public services, such as schools, suffer as a result. We need a new model for council funding which makes the rich pay their fair share – and doesn’t destroy the local services we all rely on.
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