Official government comments on Grangemouth

Comments from Alistair Carmichael
Responding to the INEOS announcement that the petrochemical plant in Grangemouth is going to close, Alistair Carmichael, Secretary of State for Scotland said;

‘This is grim news for the 800 workers whose jobs are now at risk; for the town of Falkirk and surrounding area. It is also very bad news for Scotland as a whole. Grangemouth is a very important part of Scotland’s industrial portfolio. I want the focus of Scotland’s two governments in London and Edinburgh now to be on doing all we can to save these 800 crucial jobs.

‘All the way through this process both sides have said they believe the plant has a future and I also believe that to be the case.

‘If the owner is not going to be Ineos, then it must be someone else. This is too essential a site for our economy and capability here in Scotland to let it slip away without exhausting every avenue we can in order to keep it open.’

Comments from Edward Davey
When asked if he will make a statement on the government’s contingency planning in light of the closure of Grangemouth refinery, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Edward Davey said the following;

‘I wish to inform the House of the latest situation regarding the disruption at the Grangemouth refinery and petrochemicals complex in Scotland. I recognise the concern of many members of the house, and in particular the active involvement of the Honourable member for Linlithgow and East Falkirk. Government has, and continues to be, in regular contact with both sides involved in the dispute. We are working very closely with the Scottish Government, and I have spoken to John Swinney, the Finance Secretary, this morning.

‘INEOS has made a statement confirming the decision of its shareholders to place the Grangemouth petrochemicals plant into liquidation, which puts 800 jobs at risk. The Government is saddened by this move, particularly because of the uncertainty it will bring for the workforce and all those who indirectly owe their livelihood to the Grangemouth petrochemicals plant. The government does not underestimate the plant’s importance for the local community and the Scottish economy.

'While respecting INEOS’ right to make this decision, it is regrettable that both parties have not managed to negotiate a fair and equitable settlement that delivers a viable business model for the plant.’

For Mr Davey’s first comments on INEOS’ decisions towards Grangemouth and its petrochemical business please click here.

Edited from various sources by Claira Lloyd

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/24102013/government_comments_on_grangemouth/