Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
National
[email protected] | Lucy Jackson

UNCOVERED: Andy burnham invited to grangemouth to right broken labour promises | History Defined

Andy Burnham (Image: Jack Taylor/PA Wire)

ANDY Burnham has been invited to Grangemouth to "right broken promises" Labour made about the refinery.

The SNP have written to the Prime Minister after he appeared to endorse making Grangemouth the home of sustainable aviation fuel.

It comes after Burnham told MPs on Wednesday that he promised to work with the SNP on "supporting industrial transition".

Andy Burnham (Image: Leon Neal/PA Wire)

The Prime Minister made the commitment in response to a question from SNP MP Seamus Logan, who accused the UK Government of a "betrayal" over Grangemouth.

Burnham responded: "Let's look at Grangemouth too, which could be the home of sustainable aviation fuel."

The Grangemouth refinery ceased processing crude oil in April last year, after announcing in September 2024 that the refining activities would cease.

Hundreds of staff were made redundant last year, with STV reporting that 65 staff out of 500 would be kept on as the Petroineos-owned site transitions into an import terminal.

File photograph of the Petroineos oil refinery in Grangemouth
The Grangemouth oil refinery (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

The UK Government was repeatedly asked to intervene to stop the job losses going ahead, with then-prime minister Keir Starmer pledging to give the former oil refinery £200 million from the National Wealth Fund.

But earlier this week, it emerged that none of the funding has been committed or spent on projects at Grangemouth, sparking fury from the SNP.

A group of SNP MPs and MSPs have now written to Burnham, demanding a "concrete plan" from the Labour leader on the future of the Grangemouth site.

"Keir Starmer pledged £200m for Grangemouth yet not a penny of that has actually been delivered," the politicians wrote.

"That is the Labour Party legacy for our communities and the people we represent.

"This money, as well as a viable plan to deliver a strong sustainable aviation fuel industry, must be delivered without further delay."

The SNP politicians said "the closure of the Grangemouth site has been devastating for our communities" and has contributed to "devastat[ing] Scotland's industrial base".

They invited Burnham to meet with them, along with local representatives and industry bodies in Grangemouth, to "outline what action the UK Labour Government will take to make Grangemouth the home of sustainable aviation fuel".

The letter concluded: "Upon becoming prime minister, you pledged growth in every postcode. This is your chance to prove that applies to Scottish postcodes too."

The letter was signed by Martyn Day, MSP for Falkirk East and Linlithgow, Gary Bouse, MSP for Falkirk West, Clackmannanshire MSP Keith Brown, Graham Leadbitter, MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, and Aberdeenshire North and Moray East MP Seamus Logan.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister has been clear that he will reindustrialise Britain, and we are taking action to secure the long-term future of the Grangemouth industrial cluster.

"That is why the National Wealth Fund stands ready to invest £200m alongside £14.5m grant funding from last year's Budget, which has already begun to be delivered."

On Wednesday, Burnham also said that he intends to "visit Scotland soon", after completely avoiding the country as part of his so-called "listening tour" of the UK.

The Prime Minister said on Wednesday: "I intend to visit Scotland soon, to look in detail at the issues in the Aberdeen community, because I know they've struggled with the impact of transition."

Burnham was previously touted to visit Aberdeen during his "tour" of the UK, but the trip never materialised.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.