“Welcome step” for Grangemouth

Unite has responded to the announcement today (17 Dec) from the UK government that it will invest £120 million in Ineos’ chemical factory in Grangemouth, highlighting this must be just the first step. 

The government said that the investment will “protect vital chemical production and 500 jobs at Grangemouth, plus hundreds more in the supply chain.”

In return for the government money Ineos must keep the plant running and invest in upgrades to protect its long-term future.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has long been pushing the government to take bolder and more strategic investments in core British industries like Grangemouth to protect jobs and drive growth.

“This intervention for the future of the ethylene plant is a welcome step in the right direction – a sign it might be beginning to listen – but it must not be a one-off.

“Many promises have been made in the past. This needs to be the start of a new direction of travel. We cannot forget that Grangemouth is also the site where this government has allowed Scotland’s only refinery to close, rather than produce much needed sustainable aviation fuel. 

“There has to be a joined-up strategy for a workers’ transition, backed by investment. British industry must be backed in a much better way, or jobs and skills will continue to go.”

Unite has been running a high profile campaign to protect jobs and skills around Grangemouth since its closure was announced last year, this has included taking to the streets and joining rallies, as well as taking the message of “No ban without a plan” to the Labour Party Conference and Trades Union Congress. 

By Keith Hatch