Grangemouth Refinery Shutdown Fuels Calls for Nationalisation as Political Tensions Rise

Scottish leaders demand state intervention while critics warn of politicisation and its impact on private investment.

The Grangemouth oil refinery is set to close, with 377 voluntary redundancies and 28 compulsory job losses confirmed, escalating concerns over Scotland's industrial future.
First Minister John Swinney has called for the nationalisation of Grangemouth, drawing comparisons to the UK Government's intervention at British Steel in Scunthorpe.
Critics, including Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill, accuse the SNP of 'manufacturing grievance' and argue that the situations at Grangemouth and Scunthorpe are not comparable.
The Scottish Government acknowledges it lacks the financial capacity to nationalise the refinery alone, calling for joint action with the UK Government to ensure the site's future.
UK Government officials warn that politicisation of the issue could deter private investment needed for projects like Project Willow, a proposed low-carbon transformation of the site.