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STV News
23-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Swinney and Starmer discuss Grangemouth, migration, and economy at meeting
John Swinney met with the Prime Minister to discuss the future of Grangemouth, migration, the economy, and more on Friday. Swinney travelled to London to attend a meeting of the Council of Nations and Regions – a unique forum of devolved government leaders and English mayors. Starmer was expected to discuss recent international trade deals with India, the United States, and Europe. Leaders also received a briefing on national security. The First Minister also met with Starmer one-on-one to talk about specific issues relating to Scotland. Following the meeting, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government said the pair discussed migration, the economy, the future of Grangemouth, and more. 'The First Minister held talks with the Prime Minister where they discussed key issues, including tackling child poverty, migration and growing the economy, not least by investing in Grangemouth, carbon capture and Project Acorn,' the spokesperson said. 'Discussions on international relations included trade deals, Ukraine and Gaza, including the need to end conflict and ensure humanitarian assistance. 'The First Minister also met the First Minister of Wales and the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to discuss areas of common concern.' Swinney previously said he would also use the meeting to urge Starmer to take formal action to reverse the UK Labour Government's controversial winter fuel payment cuts. Ahead of the meeting on Thursday, Swinney said the first action of the UK Government must be to 'accept the cut to the Winter Fuel Payment was wrong and announce a restoration so all pensioners get a payment'. His statement comes days after Starmer indicated at Prime Minister's Questions that he wants more pensioners across the UK to be eligible for winter fuel payments following what he called improvements to the economy. Scottish leaders have called these indications 'empty', and Swinney said he would be pushing for Starmer to make the u-turn more concrete. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
01-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Grangemouth's fate was sealed when Scotland didn't back independence
The ultimate failure of our Yes campaign to convince 50%+1 of the voters that Scotland could not only survive but prosper as an independent nation resulted in the continuation, to this day, of the so-called United Kingdom. Up until a few days ago there were six major oil refineries in the UK. Phillips 66, Humber Refinery, South Killingholme – 221,000 barrels per day; Prax, Lindsey Oil Refinery, North Killingholme – 111,300 barrels per day; Petroineos, Grangemouth refinery –150,000 barrels per day; Essar Energy plc, Stanlow refinery – 190,000 barrels per day. Valero Energy Corp, Pembroke refinery – 270,000 barrels per day; ExxonMobil, Fawley refinery – 270,000 barrels per day. In total, that's an overall refining capacity of over 1.2 million barrels per day. The five other UK refineries will apparently be able to fill the shortfall from the loss of Grangemouth. From a UK perspective there are enough refineries ready, willing and able to meet demand. Incidentally, in 1976 there were 17 oil refineries in the UK. By 2000 there were 12. Those politicians and campaigners who demand that we 'just stop oil', or use a lot less of it, might like to reflect long and hard on the loss of thousands of skilled jobs we have just witnessed. Those who decreed on our behalf that there should be more no petrol or diesel-powered cars by 2030 need to learn that actions may have consequences. Ironically many electric cars are produced in China, which is still commissioning new coal-fired power stations at the rate of about one a week. The UK Government is moving heaven and earth – and a massive amount of Japanese coal – to keep the UK's only blast furnaces in Scunthorpe alive. It looks upon Grangemouth as only one of six refineries. In their eyes it is expendable. Both the UK and Scottish governments often drag out the prospect of new work at Grangemouth in the shape of Project Acorn despite the fact that it will take many years for that particular acorn to grow and replace even a small fraction of the jobs lost today. Perhaps it should be renamed Project Carrot. Brian Lawson Paisley The obsession with net zero is driving Britain into economic decline, social division, and strategic weakness. What began as a vague environmental target has morphed into an ideological crusade, detached from reality and blind to the damage it is causing. Rural communities are being penalised for simply trying to live and work. Farmers face restrictions, motorists are vilified, and perfectly functional energy sources are being scrapped in favour of unreliable, expensive alternatives. Meanwhile, countries like China and India continue to increase emissions – unapologetically –while we cripple our economy in a futile display of moral posturing. Net zero is not just bad policy; it is a luxury belief of the political elite. Ordinary people are paying the price through higher bills, limited travel, and job losses in traditional industries. Yet politicians and activists refuse to admit what's obvious – Britain cannot save the world by impoverishing itself. We need a serious energy policy, one based on affordability, security, and common sense, not fantasy targets and international virtue signalling. Fossil fuels still have a role to play. So does nuclear power. So does a proper debate, free from hysteria and censorship. Protecting the environment matters. But destroying our way of life in the name of net zero is not the answer. It's time for Britain to put its own people first and bring this reckless agenda to an end. Councillor Alastair Redman Independent Councillor for Kintyre and the Islands Islay, Argyll and Bute I AM chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for more than 110,000 people in the UK living with one of more than 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions. As such, I urge the Scottish Government and NHS health boards to make givinostat, a new life-changing treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy available to all eligible boys and young men in Scotland. People with progressive and degenerative muscle wasting and weakening conditions such as Duchenne don't have time to waste. Accessing treatments as early as possible can make a significant difference in their quality of life. After meeting families campaigning for access to givinostat this week, Health Secretary Neil Gray made a commitment to support the rollout of the treatment as quickly as possible. While this is welcomed, it is crucial that this is made an urgent priority. Despite an Early Access Programme (EAP) being open for eligible patients, while we await the recommendation of the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), we are not aware of any Health Board in Scotland giving the treatment to boys with Duchenne. I urge health boards to prioritise the additional resources needed, including pharmacy, phlebotomy, and nursing support. Attention from the Scottish media has helped to shine a light on the issue. We must now ensure all those who might benefit from givinostat can access it, wherever they live. If anyone is affected by this situation, please reach out to our helpline for support, 0800 652 6352. Andy Fletcher Muscular Dystrophy UK
The National
28-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Top trade unionist blasts Labour's GB Energy 'betrayal'
The state-owned company, which invests in green energy firms, has so far failed to bring down bills, despite Labour's election promises. GMB general secretary Gary Smith told the Daily Record that the Government had 'overpromised' with GB Energy and that people felt 'disappointed'. He also accused Labour of 'shutting down Aberdeen' in a fiery broadside against their plans to end new oil and gas exploitation in the North Sea. Smith said: 'The risk is they are going to open a shiny new office with a dozen civil servants in Aberdeen on a high street full of charity shops because they are closing the city down.' He added: 'There is a disappointment and a growing sense of betrayal around Great British Energy.' (Image: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty) The top trade unionist, whose organisation funds the Labour Party, described the UK Government's energy policy as 'bonkers'. Smith said: 'Cutting off investment into oil and gas is bonkers. We could be getting investment into oil and gas that will allow us to create jobs. 'Just switching off investment in the North Sea is absolute madness. It's bad for national security, it's bad for jobs and the truth is it's catastrophic for the environment because we are importing oil and gas, which is far more carbon intensive than producing it ourselves.' He said of net zero: 'We don't disagree with the destination. We realise that climate change is a huge threat. We want to build a low carbon future, but you do not do that by closing down Aberdeen, by shutting off domestic oil and gas production.' READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon confronted by media over views on Supreme Court sex ruling He also hit out at Keir Starmer's 'cruel' benefits cuts, adding: 'We have got members who get support in their work and they are literally terrified about what is coming around the corner. 'I worry that the way we are going to deal with disability benefits is actually going to be very damaging for society and very damaging for the individuals.' Smith said: 'There have been mis-steps by the Labour Government. They are not great at communicating the stuff they do right and well. I am not sure that people fully understand their mission and story." He added: 'They've got to accept that they've made a whole number of mistakes which has been to their detriment.' (Image: PA) SNP MSP Kevin Stewart (above) said: 'Labour promised that GB Energy would create 1,000 new jobs in the North-East. So far it has created none and the chair has admitted that it will take at least 20 years to create these roles. 'We were also told that GB Energy was going to help bring down energy bills by £300 but instead bills have gone in the opposite direction, soaring by nearly £300 since Labour came to power. 'Just this week the UK Labour Government gave the go-ahead to a carbon capture project in England whilst it continues to dither in giving backing to Project Acorn in Aberdeenshire. 'Scotland has the natural resources and skilled workforce required to be a renewables superpower but is continually treated as an afterthought by successive UK governments. We have the energy, we just need the power.' A UK Government spokesperson said: 'The government is delivering the next generation of good jobs for North Sea workers, including in carbon capture, hydrogen and offshore wind. 'We have already taken rapid steps to deliver a fair and orderly transition, with the biggest ever investment in offshore wind and two first of a kind carbon capture and storage clusters. 'This comes alongside Great British Energy, headquartered in Aberdeen, which has already announced a £300m investment into British supply chains, unlocking significant investment and helping to create thousands of skilled jobs.'
The National
24-04-2025
- Business
- The National
Labour treat Scotland as 'afterthought' after carbon capture pledge
On Thursday, the UK Government announced a deal with energy company Eni which will see the firm award around £2 billion in supply chain contracts for their Liverpool Bay carbon capture and storage project, spanning north Wales and the north west of England and creating 2000 jobs. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who announced the deal at an energy security summit in London, said: 'We said we'd deliver jobs and growth through carbon capture technology, and now we have. 'Shovels ready for the ground, supporting over 2000 new jobs and supporting thousands more, transforming the lives of hard-working people.' Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband pictured at the International Summit on the Future of Energy Security on Thursday (Image: PA) Labour have been accused of 'remaining silent' on the Acorn carbon capture project, based at St Fergus near Peterhead in Aberdeenshire. The project works with industrial, power, hydrogen, bioenergy and waste-to-energy businesses who wish to capture CO2 emissions and send them into permanent geological storage under the North Sea. READ MORE: Wes Streeting takes potshot at Keir Starmer over 'trans women are women' Last year, the UK Government announced the project would progress to its 'track two' stage, and in November Miliband said more information would become available 'in the coming months'. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband previously said he would 'consider' fast-tracking the Acorn project, adding that the move could help secure a future for workers at the Grangemouth oil refinery. However, The National reported that he told MPs last month that a decision would be made at the June spending review. The SNP urged the UK Government to 'urgently come good' on promises of investment in Project Acorn. Commenting, SNP MSP Kevin Stewart said: 'This announcement of further funding for carbon capture in England, while they dither on Project Acorn, shows that Scotland remains an afterthought in the eyes of Westminster. 'It seems that the UK Government can nationalise industries, roll out carbon capture sites, and build supercomputers so long as they are in England – but are unable to do the same for Scotland. READ MORE: SNP urged to end 'shameful' delay on Bannockburn development decision 'People are now seeing this for what it is – UK governments which will always put England first. 'While Westminster is pouring money into England, Scotland is paying the price.' It is not the first time a Scottish carbon capture project has been snubbed – in October, the UK Government announced £22bn in funding for two 'carbon capture clusters' in Merseyside and Teesside in England. The energy security summit on Thursday was met with protests, as campaigners demanded ministers called time on all oil and gas drilling. Following Thursday's announcement, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Today we keep our promise to launch a whole new clean energy industry for our country – carbon capture and storage – to deliver thousands of highly skilled jobs and revitalise our industrial communities. 'We are making the UK energy secure and backing our engineers, electricians and welders so we can protect families and businesses and drive jobs through our Plan for Change.'
