Closure of Grangemouth Refinery Sparks Economic and Employment Concerns in Scotland

Scottish First Minister and unions decry Petroineos' decision to shut down the refinery, citing premature action and significant job losses.

Petroineos announced the closure of the Grangemouth refinery, leading to the loss of 400 jobs and transitioning the site into a fuels import terminal.
First Minister John Swinney called the decision premature, suggesting it could have been delayed by two to three years to allow for a smoother transition to green energy.
Unions and workers expressed anger and disappointment, criticizing both the Scottish and UK governments for failing to ensure a just transition for the workforce.
The closure highlights broader challenges in Scotland's energy transition, with declining fossil fuel industries and insufficient growth in green sectors.
The Scottish and UK governments have pledged a £100 million support package to aid in the transition and create new opportunities for the affected workers.