UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks has said Westminster is moving “at pace” to ensure 400 Grangemouth workers “have got the support they need” after owner Petroineos confirmed that it was closing the facility on the Firth of Forth.
The Labour MP for Rutherglen said that the UK and Scottish governments have been working closely together on Project Willow – a joint initiative looking at options to build a new long-term industry at the site.
“It’s so important that we’ve put together a package of support in the short-term for that workforce,” he said.
Shanks added that work was being done to identify the precise skills of Grangemouth’s workers and prospective employers.
He also said that “a few” employers had already approached the workforce, but acknowledged that “it doesn’t deal with the uncertainty” they face.