Livingston MP Gregor Poynton has welcomed the UK Government’s commitment to invest £200 million in Grangemouth as part of a major effort to secure its long-term future and create new opportunities in Scotland’s industrial heartland.
The investment, announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Scottish Labour Conference in Glasgow, will be delivered through the National Wealth Fund and aims to unlock private sector investment to ensure Grangemouth remains a hub for clean energy and skilled jobs.
Alongside this, the UK Government has confirmed a ‘Training Guarantee’ for Grangemouth refinery workers, ensuring that anyone who wants skills training at a local college will be fully supported. This initiative will help workers transition into new, well-paid jobs with local employers.
Gregor said: “This investment is a game-changer for Grangemouth and the wider area, including the Livingston constituency. Many of my constituents work at the refinery or in businesses that depend on its future, and this announcement is a clear commitment to supporting them.
“We’ve already seen Labour take decisive action to protect key industries across the UK, and this is another example of how we are delivering for Scotland.
“By working with the Scottish Government and the private sector, we will ensure that Grangemouth remains a centre for skilled jobs and innovation for generations to come.”
The cash for Grangemouth comes in the same week of First Minister John Swinney’s announcement of an additional £25 million to establish a fund to help secure the future of Grangemouth.
The First Minister confirmed to the Scottish Parliament last week that an amendment will be lodged to the Scottish Government’s 2025-26 Budget Bill to allocate an additional £25 million to establish a Grangemouth Just Transition Fund.
Linlithgow SNP MSP Fiona Hyslop said: “Many of my constituents work at the Grangemouth Refinery and I am pleased to see the Scottish Government are committing £25 million to support these workers going forward.
“I understand the news of the planned closure of the Refinery will be causing significant concerns for workers and their families and I hope that this announcement will reassure them that the Scottish Government are committed to providing meaningful support going forward.
“The aim of this fund is to expedite any of the potential solutions that will be set out in the Project Willow report.
“All those working at Grangemouth have skills that are key to Scotland’s Net Zero future and I am pleased to see this funding which will help ensure that those who are losing their jobs at Grangemouth will have the targeted skills support they need.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the funding showed that the Prime Minister and UK Government had “finally listened” to the unions and others campaigning for a future for the Grangemouth site.
Currently Scotland’s only oil refinery, the facility is due to close from the second quarter of 2025, with redundancy notices already issued to some of the 400-plus workers.
Graham said the new money promised by Starmer “needs to be the start not the end in delivering a real workers’ transition for Grangemouth”.
She added: “Following this announcement, it is essential that all stakeholders come together to put the meat on the bones and that this investment counts for jobs and our security.”
Iain Hardie, the regional head of legal and external affairs at Grangemouth owner Petroineos, said: “The Prime Minister’s commitment to Project Willow is very welcome and reflects the quality of the work done in the initial phase of the project.
“We look forward to continuing to support both governments in the next phase as the project develops to bring together a collation of parties interested in the development of a new low-carbon future for Scotland’s largest industrial cluster.”
Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here.