Grangemouth closure 'nothing short of economic crisis', says Kate Forbes
THE closure of Grangemouth is 'nothing short of an economic crisis', Kate Forbes has said.
The Deputy First Minister made the comments in a ministerial statement in Holyrood on Wednesday, just a day after Grangemouth's owner Petroineos confirmed the refinery has ceased processing crude oil.
The industrial site in central Scotland was the last oil refinery operating north of the border.
'The decision by Petro Ineos is nothing short of an economic crisis,' Forbes told MSPs.
'And we need the UK Government to work with us to respond quickly, as we know that it can.'
READ MORE:
She added: 'It's a very sad day for Grangemouth and for Scotland, and we are deeply sorry for the workers and the wider community.'
In recent months, hundreds of workers have taken voluntary redundancy while a number of compulsory redundancies have also been made.
'The decision of last September [to close the refinery] was and is premature,' Forbes said.
'It jeopardises our transition to net zero, negatively impacts the Scottish economy and leaves us reliant on imported fuel. We have continually called on the UK Government to do more, to intervene and to stop this needless act of economic vandalism.
(Image: PA)'If they can intervene at Scunthorpe, then it is surely necessary in Grangemouth.'
She added: 'The UK Government could have chosen to underpin operations of the refinery to bridge the transition to new technologies, or as we've repeatedly called for, intervention to enable sustainable aviation fuel production at Grangemouth.'
Petroineos has said the refinery is loss-making and has rejected claims from unions that the site could easily transition into a hub for producing sustainable aviation fuel.
In London today to meet Michael Shanks and get an update from Scottish and UK agencies on the work of our joint investment task force for the Grangemouth Industrial Cluster. There's been a good deal of commercial interest in the opportunities published in the Project Willow study pic.twitter.com/apWhayeFs1
— Gillian Martin (@GillianMSP) April 30, 2025
On Wednesday, UK energy minister Michael Shanks and Scottish Energy Secretary Gillian Martin (above) met to discuss the joint work both administrations are undertaking.
'There's been a good deal of commercial interest in the opportunities published in the Project Willow study,' Martin claimed afterwards.
The significant report commissioned by the Scottish and UK governments, known as Project Willow, aims to chart a future for the site in low-carbon energy.
But the report said this would require around £3.5 billion of private investment.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'It's destroying jobs': SNP slam Labour NIC hike as businesses shed jobs
'THE Labour Party's national insurance tax hike is destroying jobs, squeezing wages and choking off economic growth," the SNP has said after figures today show the number of people on payrolls fell by 55,000 between March and April this year. The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) today, forecast the number is to drop by a further 109,000 in May. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the figures showed "Scotland's labour market remains resilient despite global challenges impacting the economy", with the median monthly pay of payrolled employees in Scotland higher than the UK overall. Responding to the figures, Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics at the ONS said: "Feedback from our vacancies survey suggests some firms may be holding back from recruiting new workers or replacing people when they move on'. Yael Selfin, chief economist at KPMG UK also warned: "It is likely that businesses will look to offset some of the rise in employment costs through a combination of reducing headcount and slowing hiring activity. Given this, we expect the unemployment rate to edge higher over the coming year". READ MORE: UK Government pledges 'multi-decade, multi-billion' renovation of Clyde nuclear base Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics said "most indicators show labour demand is clearly weakening." The SNP have pointed towards Rachel Reeves's UK Budget last October, where she said that employers' NICs would rise from 13.8% to 15% on a worker's earnings above £175. The changes will kick in from April 1, the same day by which the Scottish Government must have passed its Budget legislation. As the tax rises were levied on employers – in order to allow Labour to claim they had not technically raised taxes on working people – Scotland's local authorities and public service providers also face cost increases. SNP deputy Westminster leader Pete Wishart MP said: 'The Labour Party's national insurance tax hike is destroying jobs, squeezing wages and choking off economic growth - with unemployment rising to a four year high as businesses and public services grapple with the increased costs of hiring employees under Keir Starmer's government. READ MORE: 'Resign if you disagree so much', Labour tell civil servants raising Israel concerns 'The Chancellor must use the UK spending review tomorrow to scrap her damaging jobs tax hike - and implement measures that support small and medium businesses, public services and charities to create jobs and boost incomes - rather than forcing them to cut jobs and wages. 'Voters were promised things would get better but under the Labour government unemployment is rising, the cost of living is sky high, and the economy is moving in the wrong direction, with growth down, borrowing up, and public finances in a worse position than when Rachel Reeves entered Downing Street. 'The SNP repeatedly warned about the damage Labour Party's job tax would do. Scottish businesses need support not punishing tax hikes from Westminster. Unlike Keir Starmer, the SNP will always stand up for Scotland and support our small and medium businesses to grow and benefit our communities.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Better-off pensioners able to 'opt-out' of Scottish fuel payment
Wealthier pensioners will be made aware of an option to decline Scotland's winter fuel payments - or donate them to charity, according to a Scottish government minister. Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the universal approach of the devolved Scottish scheme was important, but she said the "difference" made by opting out would also be highlighted. The current plan is for all pensioner households to receive at least £100 regardless of income, while those on pension credit will receive up to £305 depending on age. The UK government's Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said "limited public funding" should not be spent on "millionaire pensioners". Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a major policy U-turn on winter fuel payments to pensioners Monday – months after it was cut as part of the UK government's autumn budget. Under the new scheme, every household with a person over the state pension age in England and Wales and an income of up to £35,000 will receive £200 for those aged up to 80 and £300 for those aged over 80. For those with an income of more than £35,000, the money will be recouped through the tax system. Scottish ministers 'in the dark' over winter fuel payment U-turn All Scottish pensioners to get winter fuel payment The Scottish government launched its own winter fuel benefit last year in response to the original cuts which included extra support for those less well-off, but also a universal payment which is unaffected by income. Under the plan, all households with a person over state pension age will receive an automatic £100 payment to help heat their homes. For those on pension credits under the age of 80, that increases to £203, and rises again for those over 80 to £305. It also includes an "opt-out" system for pensioners who are better off, meaning they can return the payment to the Scottish government or donate it to charity if they feel it is unnecessary. Somerville told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland the payment had been "deliberately tapered" towards those on lower incomes. She said the Scottish government refused to "balance the books on the back of the most vulnerable," adding the "opt-out mechanism" had previously been effective. "We will make sure people know about the opt-out mechanism, they are aware of it, they can recognise the difference made by putting that payment back or not receiving that payment in future years," she told the programme. "We've seen when the winter fuel payment was cut originally, those who used the winter fuel payment to support charities right across Scotland. "It's important to have a universal system but it's not necessarily important that everyone receives the same amount and that is exactly why the payment is tapered to those who are on pension credit, who are on the lowest incomes." Somerville would not be drawn on whether the Scottish government would modify its scheme in light of the changes being made south of the border. She said ministers were still waiting to assess the "funding implications" from the chancellor's announcement. Murray said Scotland would receive more money, calculated "in the usual way" as part of the Barnett consequentials formula. He said it was up to the Scottish government how that money was spent, adding the current Scottish version of the payment had been partially financed by a £5.2bn devolution settlement increase from Westminster last year. But he said he did not agree with the decision to make payments regardless of income, given the pressures on other budgets. "The government in Scotland made the decision to give that limited public money to millionaire pensioners and we don't think that is the right principle when public funding is tight," he said. "But you can't have it both ways, you can't say that public funding is tight and make the decision on the money they have got available. "We've got one in six Scots on NHS waiting lists, they're not spending it on that, we've got an increasing education attainment gap, they're not spending it on education, so Scottish voters have the right to ask where it is being spent and why is it not being spent on their priorities."


Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
To Bridge Generational Divides, Corporate America Needs To Invest in Soft Skills
We are living through the Fourth Industrial Revolution—and it's moving fast. AI, automation, and rapid digital transformation are reshaping businesses across all sectors. Corporate America is racing to navigate a digital-first world. As business leaders from retail to finance to professional services work to keep up with the shift, there's something that's easy to miss: the soft, or "durable" skills employees need to succeed are no longer optional—they're essential. LinkedIn's Global Talent Trends report showed that 89 percent of HR industry professionals said when a hire doesn't work out, it usually boils down to a lack of skills like emotional intelligence, clear communication, adaptability, and active listening. Forbes reported these as the top competencies employees will need in the next five years. This moment will require upskilling in more than tech. People entering and exiting a metro station are pictured. People entering and exiting a metro station are pictured. Getty Images And it's not just younger workers. Consider the workplace of today: Five years post-pandemic, work from home and remote approaches are scattershot. Some people have never worked in an office; some never wanted to leave. On average, up to five generations at a time are working together. Employees of all ages are finding it difficult to adjust to hybrid environments where communication and relationship-building matter more than ever. Expectations about work culture are different. And in an effort to build tech-savvy teams, much of today's new talent has been hired for very specific expertise, not for their people skills. It's no wonder, then, that a recent survey of corporate leaders found that there is a skills gap, with many young professionals struggling to communicate effectively, collaborate with teams, and problem-solve in real time. In an era where AI is expected to automate countless tasks, human skills—like emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership—are becoming even more essential. But these skills don't develop in a vacuum—we need to meet this challenge head-on. One emerging solution? Mentorship. Increasingly, corporations across sectors are investing in mentoring as a proven solution to close the skills gap and unlock our human potential. Mentorship is not just a nicety, but a viable strategy for building durable skills in both the mentee and the mentor. It's a data-backed, proven solution that creates a more equitable future and develops the talent pipeline. Macy's, for example, has invested in mentorship as a way to boost leadership skills—giving youth an opportunity to learn and practice with a mentor by their side. UPS has been a long-time investor in workplace mentoring, creating opportunities for young people to explore, learn, and develop skills from seasoned corporate leaders. The results are beneficial for all, especially knowing that they've created "life-changing career opportunities" created through their mentorship programs. Mentoring goes beyond helping youth find a good job; it's also a strategy for equipping and empowering the entrepreneurs of tomorrow, and a powerful force for personal, professional, and economic development. According to a recent study led by economist Alex Bell while at Harvard University, mentorship is one of the most cost-effective, high-impact ways to close socioeconomic gaps in society and to build the durable skills companies are seeking in the workplace. We also know that serving as a mentor gives employees at any age a chance to share their knowledge, sharpen their own communication, empathy, and leadership skills. It's a win-win: ensuring a more connected workforce today and a stronger pipeline for tomorrow. It's time for us to consider that mentorship has an impact as meaningful and scalable as apprenticeships, externships, and other upskilling programs. Mentorship benefits young people, businesses, and society. The data tells us that companies with mentorship programs have higher retention rates. Employees who participate in mentorship programs are more likely to stay with their companies, reducing turnover costs. They have stronger leadership pipelines. Mentorship helps develop the next generation of managers and executives, ensuring a steady flow of talent. And they have more effective teams. Employees with strong durable skills navigate workplace dynamics better, leading to higher collaboration and problem-solving. There's even a brand halo effect, with recent evidence showing development of soft skills as linked to a company's competitive advantage. Is mentorship worth it? Yes—it pays for itself. As the workforce continues to shift, the need for human-centered development strategies is becoming clearer. Mentorship—long known for its individual impact—is also a lever for strengthening teams, bridging generational divides, and preparing a more adaptable, resilient workforce. But scale requires intention. If we want to close skill gaps, improve opportunity, and meet the demands of a changing economy, it will take more than programs—it will take people, across every sector, stepping in. This is our moment to reimagine success—because the future of work won't be automated, it will be mentored. Ginneh Baugh is chief impact officer at Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.