Grangemouth industrial cluster: letter to the UK Government

To: Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero 
From: Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy

Dear Graham,

I would like to thank you for your attendance at today’s meeting of the Grangemouth Future Industry Board’s Industrial Just Transition Leadership Forum.

It is clear that our collaboration is going to be critical to secure a long term sustainable future for the Grangemouth industrial cluster which is of national importance to both Scotland and the UK. I was pleased to hear the commitment you gave to the meeting that the UK Government is willing to consider any proposals that support the long-term sustainable future for the Grangemouth Refinery, recognising its strategic importance to the economy of the whole of the UK.

As you heard at the meeting, Grangemouth is of strategic importance to the economy, not just of Scotland, but of the whole of the UK. The Scottish Government has for sometime worked with our partners to ensure that we can secure a bright future for the site and its workforce. The Scottish Government is committed to securing a Just Transition for the Grangemouth industrial cluster that actualises its potential to be an industry leader in low carbon technologies, recognises the importance of the workforce and maximises the opportunities for the local community. We welcome the support of the UK Government as we move forward to publishing the draft Grangemouth Just Transition plan in Spring of this year. 

Recognising the financial levers that the UK Government has at its disposal, and that are denied to the Scottish Government, combined with the fact that energy and fuel security are reserved functions of the UK Government that would preclude the Scottish Government from making investments, I was very pleased to hear that the UK Government are now open to considering support.

To take this forward, I would welcome the opportunity to have a further discussion with you as soon as possible to discuss how we can progress our collaboration on this important matter.

I’ve copied this letter to Secretary of State for Scotland, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Scotland.