Gillian Martin
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Mark Ruskell: I hear what the cabinet secretary says about her engagement with industry, but it is communities that are facing a deluge of applications for data centres. There are people here today from Fife and across Scotland who are raising their concerns. Answers are needed, cabinet secretary.”
“The Scottish Government has not undertaken a wholly national assessment of the remit that the member specifically outlines on data centres. However, we are currently engaging with industry and partner agencies to better understand the cumulative impacts of data centre developments on the environment.”
“The Scottish Government’s wildfires strategic action plan sets out a partnership approach to preventing, preparing for and responding to wildfires.”
“Although the Scottish Government is not currently undertaking a formal national assessment, we are working with partners to assess the impact of AI data centres and to look at whether current planning conditions are appropriate.”
“David Green: The response from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and local land management to the severe wildfires that were experienced in the Highlands last year was exceptional, and I put on record my thanks to them.”
“Following on from the good work that was done on the wildfires strategy in the previous parliamentary session by Jim Fairlie and by Siobhian Brown, the former Minister for Victims and Community Safety, a great deal of work is being done on prevention.”
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“I have listened carefully to the contributions this evening. This type of debate is important, and I congratulate Craig Hoy on securing it. I have a national policy that is associated with flooding, but it is important that I hear feedback on particular local considerations. I do not want to insert myself into decisions that local councillors make, because it is only right that they make decisions on what they do for their communities. Craig Hoy: Will the member take an intervention? Gillian Martin: Give me a minute to get going.”
“We owe it to our communities to act with urgency and ambition and to involve them in the process, because we need to deliver action across Scotland. 17:48”
“There is a real risk to people’s homes and businesses, and they need confidence that the Scottish Government will deliver the scale of protection investment that is required to deal with the changing climate that people are now experiencing. We have known about these challenges for decades. When I was a town planner, literally decades ago, the issue started to be on our agenda for places such as Grangemouth, but we have still not seen the investment that is needed. We can disagree with each other on all sorts of issues, but on this issue we must have political commitment in place across our parties, because not acting is going to risk people’s homes, businesses and livelihoods. Decisions that are made now will determine whether our communities are protected or exposed in the decades ahead.”
“Hard engineering alone will not be enough; we also need investment in nature- based solutions that slow the flow of water before it reaches our towns and villages. That means restoring wetlands, protecting and expanding peatlands and supporting natural flood management projects that work with the landscape rather than against it. We also need to accelerate the roll-out of sustainable urban drainage systems, both in existing communities and in new developments. Our communities have to be involved in the design of flood investment—from the start of the process, not towards the end—because it matters to everybody. I have followed with huge interest the work that is being done in East Lothian.”
“The draft climate change plan might not do so, but the Scottish national adaptation plan—SNAP3—does. That is where all the adaptation plans lie. I am sure that Sarah Boyack is familiar with that document. Sarah Boyack: My point is that the issue needs to be much higher up the agenda. That is crucial in the climate change plan, because, when roads are shut and rail lines are disrupted, communities become isolated. Essential, reliable transport is vital to keep people safe and enable businesses to function. As colleagues across the chamber have commented, the intensity of climate change is impacting on flooding, and it is going to get worse. That is why we need a comprehensive approach to flood defence.”
“I am open to looking at that, as the regulations have been in place for quite a while and we do not want them to stand in the way of innovation or to have unintended consequences. I am therefore happy to talk to the regulator about whether we can do any recalibration or recategorisation of waste to ensure that unnecessary red tape is not having a negative impact.”
“We have to look beyond large-scale anaerobic digestion plants and see how we can get a little more movement on smaller ones. I recently met representatives of ADBA in my constituency, although in a ministerial capacity, when it invited me to the headquarters of BrewDog, which I know very well, as it is in Ellon in my constituency. BrewDog has an anaerobic digestion plant that uses a lot of the water, effluent and waste from the brewing production there. I also met local farmers who came along to talk to me about how they want more of their colleagues to take on the mantle and use small anaerobic digesters. They wanted to spread the message that it is a good idea for farmers to do that, and they highlighted some of the barriers. Maurice Golden mentioned a barrier relating to the categorisation of waste.”
“We are talking about organic material, and there is a cost to producers in dealing with any effluent that is associated with food production, so it is better for it to perhaps be used as a feedstock. I absolutely take that point. There are barriers to anaerobic digestion schemes, some of which have been mentioned. The UK Government’s green gas support scheme has incentivised larger-scale anaerobic digestion plants, which is a positive step. Those larger anaerobic digestion plants will have access to feed into the gas grid, which is hugely welcome. In Scotland, there are a lot of resources that could be suitable for processing in plants that operate on a smaller scale and that are located in rural locations, on farms and at distilleries. However, we know that it is difficult for farms to justify the investment in the required plants.”
“As I said, waste materials from agriculture are a significant source of emissions, but if some of those materials can be processed into providing heat and electricity, they will add to the abundant mix of natural energy resources that are already displacing the burning of fossil fuels. Sarah Boyack has left the chamber, but I liked her phrase about turning “a climate liability”—that is, methane—into “a climate solution”. She can find that comment in the Official Report when she reads it later. Emma Harper: I want to highlight that even the effluent from abattoirs can be used and processed through anaerobic digesters. That is another way that we can maximise or capitalise on the benefits of anaerobic digestion. Gillian Martin: Absolutely.”
“We talk about waste, but it is a resource that can be used to expand business opportunities and create jobs. In 2024, the Scottish Government published our ambitious “Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030”, which set out our plan to progress into a circular economy, to ensure that we maximise the positive impact of the new Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 for communities across the whole of Scotland and to realise the economic opportunities that exist in that area, as well as doing the heavy lifting associated with reducing our carbon footprint. Food waste is one of the more stubborn areas of waste. Of course, food waste is also a feedstock for anaerobic digestion.”
“As has been pointed out by everyone who has spoken in the debate, anaerobic digestion has the potential to create new opportunities for rural communities to achieve greater energy independence and to reduce their reliance on the burning of fossil fuels, to deliver a more circular economy and to diversify their business at a time when farmers are finding that they are squeezed in relation to a lot of the prices associated with the produce that they are traditionally involved in. They have to look to other areas to diversify their business, and what is better than using the waste associated with livestock or any kind of food production and turning it into money? We need to embrace the opportunities that embedding a circular economy can bring.”
“I thank my colleague Emma Harper for raising the issue. It links to a number of Scottish Government priorities, but I also know how passionate she is about anaerobic digestion. She was right to say that I visited her region when I was only a few months into being the energy minister. The on- farm anaerobic digestion system was really inspiring. I remember that it also produced carbon dioxide for the drinks industry, which is a compelling business opportunity, given that a lot of carbon dioxide comes from mainland Europe and there is obviously a cost associated with that.”
“Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“At col 58, paragraph 5— Original text— Officials have proposed the publication of an initial statement and a call for evidence early next year to inform future policy statements on the technology. Corrected text— Scottish Government will publish a call for evidence in 2026 which will inform a future policy statement on the technology. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“I give my commitment to members—not least my colleagues Michelle Thomson, Michael Matheson and Falkirk Council leader, Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, who have been unwavering in their commitment to stand up for their constituents, local businesses and, crucially, the workforce and local community—that the Scottish Government will not rest until we have explored every opportunity and realised our ambition of a long-term and sustainable future for Grangemouth. The Deputy Presiding Officer: The cabinet secretary will now take questions on the issues raised in her statement. I intend to allow around 20 minutes for that, after which we will need to move to the next item of business. I invite members who wish to ask a question to press their request-to- speak button if they have not already done so.”
“Grangemouth is changing and, as a result of the Government’s actions, the hope of a bright future is being built. From biorefining to innovative start- ups to global players, the site is a beacon of Scotland’s green industrial future. It is a story of partnership between Governments, industry, trade unions, the workforce and communities. It is a story of resilience and ambition. It is a story that shows that Scotland can lead the world in delivering a just transition that creates jobs, attracts investment and tackles climate change head on. However, today’s announcements are by no means the limit of our ambition. More must be done and will be done.”
“It shows that the Scottish National Party Government is putting people at the heart of change. Furthermore, I confirm to the Parliament that the Scottish Government intends to continue funding a community participation manager to support Grangemouth’s just transition for the next two years. That role, which is funded as part of the greener Grangemouth programme, is a key delivery partner for the Grangemouth just transition plan, and its existence is one of the recommended actions in the plan. Critically, the role remains a key conduit to ensuring that the voices of the community are at the heart of everything that we do in pursuit of the cluster’s transition. My commitment to provide an additional £150,000 over the next two years will support CVS Falkirk & District to continue that critical work.”
“On 29 October, in partnership with Unite the Union, the First Minister announced that new conditionality would be applied to all funds awarded as part of the Grangemouth just transition fund. That will take the form of a guaranteed interview scheme, for workers who have been made redundant at Grangemouth, for the new roles that will be created as a result of the funding that I am announcing today. I am grateful for the support that Unite the Union has provided in bringing that proposal to fruition. Its expertise and insight have helped us to drive forward our activity and ensure that workers are at the forefront of our efforts. That represents a just transition in action, helping workers to secure new opportunities and ensuring that their vital experience, skills and knowledge are not lost to Grangemouth or Scotland.”
“Therefore, I am pleased to confirm to the Parliament that we are also providing up to £595,000 to Scottish Enterprise to ensure that key enabling works to prepare the site for future investment are progressed at pace. Those activities will centre on addressing infrastructure, utilities, land and connectivity challenges across Grangemouth. Those challenges have been put to me by businesses, Fife Council and others through the Grangemouth future industry board. I trust that that is a clear sign that we are listening to the needs of businesses and, in collaboration with them, delivering on our commitment to take targeted action that secures the long-term and sustainable future of the industrial cluster. Most important, we continue to prioritise the workforce and the local community, who are central to that work.”
“The Scottish Government is allocating £6.23 million from our Grangemouth just transition fund to support the next stage of the company’s acetone- butanol-ethanol—ABE—biorefinery project. Assuming that Celtic Renewables reaches commercialisation as planned, the project is expected to create up to 149 direct jobs at Grangemouth by the end of 2030. As with MiAlgae, those numbers are only set to increase as the business continues to scale up its technology and expand the market for its products. Critical to securing a long-term and sustainable future for the Grangemouth industrial cluster is ensuring that the foundational components are optimised to attract investment.”
“Although MiAlgae’s technology is not directly aligned with the pathways that are identified in project willow, its potential to create jobs and stimulate new industries at pace is exactly what our just transition plan is about. It represents a major step forward in diversifying the cluster and thus securing the future of the industrial base at Grangemouth. However, MiAlgae is just the beginning. I am proud to announce that, subject to final negotiations and confirmation of public funding conditions, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise will provide funding support to Celtic Renewables, a company at the cutting edge of biorefining technology, at Grangemouth.”
“The project will be capable of producing commercial-scale volumes of omega-3, a vital ingredient for global food and health industries. The facility will upcycle whisky by-products to produce omega-3. That is a clear example of the circular economy in action and will have tangible benefits for businesses and customers across the economy. Presiding Officer, £1.5 million of that support represents the first funding from the Scottish Government’s Grangemouth just transition fund. MiAlgae believes that, if the project expands as planned, it will create up to 130 new direct jobs at Grangemouth by the end of 2029 as the company scales its technology and delivers subsequent bioreactor modules.”
“That is why the First Minister has announced that £25 million will be made available during this and future financial years to support new projects and initiatives that secure Grangemouth’s long-term and sustainable future. Today, I am pleased to announce the first significant funding awards for projects at Grangemouth—a hugely important milestone. This morning, I attended a groundbreaking ceremony for a project that is being progressed by MiAlgae, a home-grown, pioneering Scottish business. I welcome that the United Kingdom Government has listened to the direct calls made by me and by others across the chamber and has joined the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise in allocating up to £3 million between now and 2027 to support the construction of the company’s new commercial-scale bioreactor at Grangemouth.”
“They include projects that align with the recommended technology pathways, as well as complementary projects that, if deployed, would deliver high-value jobs and industrial opportunities at Grangemouth. The level of interest from domestic and international operators is testament to the dedication of the highly skilled workforce, which has undoubtedly secured the cluster’s reputation. It also illustrates Scottish Enterprise’s tireless efforts to actively seek out new opportunities, and it shows that Grangemouth is a good place to do business. By continuing to work with businesses to assess their potential and appropriateness and then putting in place the right level of public sector support, we can unlock Grangemouth’s potential by making the proposed projects market investable.”
“I want to ensure that Grangemouth helps to lead the way in our journey to net zero through new green energy opportunities and that we bring the valued and skilled workforce with us on that journey. We remain fully committed to using the limited regulatory and fiscal levers that are at our disposal to ensure that those who live and work at Grangemouth are not left behind in our transition to net zero and that they will, in time, benefit greatly from the opportunities that come to the industrial cluster. Since the launch of project willow, there has been wide-ranging interest in Grangemouth. I can confirm that Scottish Enterprise has received more than 140 inquiries from businesses that are interested in establishing new projects in the industrial cluster.”
“I am delighted to update the Parliament on the tangible progress that is being made to secure Grangemouth’s long- term and sustainable future. The industrial cluster remains essential to both Scotland’s just transition to net zero and the future prosperity of our economy. The measures that I will set out today are illustrative of our commitment to realising the site’s potential. Grangemouth has a proud industrial history. For generations, it has powered Scotland’s economy and provided thousands of highly skilled and highly paid jobs. I am committed to continuing that legacy. I want to be clear that the Scottish Government will not shy away from taking concrete action to address the challenges that the cluster faces and to support the people who rely on it.”
“A submission by officials on 15 May set out a proposed approach to improving the policy understanding of BESS through internal research to inform our thinking on potential policy positions on the technology, partly in response to community and political concerns about the framework that underpins BESS development. Officials have proposed the publication of an initial statement and a call for evidence early next year to inform future policy statements on the technology. [Gillian Martin has corrected this contribution. See end of report.]”
“In Dumfriesshire, concern is mounting over battery storage developments, including the Belridding battery energy storage system near Torthorwald and at Milton farm near Beattock. Residents are rightly concerned that those developments are in the wrong location; for example, Milton farm is close to the A74, which would be severely impacted by smoke in the event of a fire. What is the minister doing to give communities a greater say when it comes to such large-scale energy projects? Why will the Government not support my call for an immediate moratorium on further onshore large-scale renewables in areas that now feel battered, bruised and at risk as a result of the onward march of battery storage, turbines and megapylons? Gillian Martin: I will not comment on any applications, whether potential or already in the system.”
“With new development proposals, potential impacts on communities, nature, landscape and visual amenity, including cumulative effects, are important considerations in the decision-making process. All applications are subject to site- specific assessments. The Scottish Government has commissioned a scoping study on the potential environmental impacts of operating battery storage, with work expected to complete early next year. However, health and safety law is reserved to the United Kingdom Government and regulated by the Health and Safety Executive. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service continually reviews its operational response to emerging technology, including battery storage, to keep communities safe. Craig Hoy: Yet more and more developments are being approved.”
“The UK Labour Government promised that it would reduce bills by £300 when it came to office, but choices made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to significantly scale back investment in energy efficiency and clean heating will not permanently cut bills. The UK Government’s damaging approach to the energy profits levy means that Scotland’s energy industry is facing an existential threat. When he met the Prime Minister at the British-Irish Council on 5 December, the First Minister made it clear that the decision to extend the EPL to 2030 threatens tens of thousands of jobs across the UK energy sector and places the entire energy transition at risk.”
“Karen Adam: The energy profits levy threatens jobs and investment in the north-east, particularly in my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast, yet Scotland produces a vast surplus of low-cost energy. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it should be unthinkable for an energy-rich Scotland to have anything other than energy-rich Scots, and that Westminster UK Government control is what stands in the way of that? Gillian Martin: I absolutely agree with Karen Adam’s assessment of the situation. In an energy- rich nation such as Scotland, no household should be struggling to heat its home and no business should be struggling to pay its bills and keep its head above water.”
“The United Kingdom Government’s retention of the energy profits levy in its current form will continue to hit jobs and investment across Scotland’s energy sector. Those reserved policy decisions are driving an accelerated decline of North Sea oil and gas before renewable alternatives are sufficiently developed, placing a just energy transition at risk. The Scottish Government continues to monitor and consider a range of evidence in relation to Scotland’s energy sector. As part of that approach, we review reports on employment from industry, trade unions and other bodies. Analysis that was set out in a recent joint letter from Offshore Energies UK and Scottish Renewables found that replacing the energy profits levy with a fairer fiscal regime could unlock £40 billion in investment and safeguard 160,000 jobs across the UK.”
“We know that the scale of change that will be needed for the next part of our net zero journey is significant, and that delivering our net zero target by 2045 will require the transformation of our economy and society, underpinned by sustained investment, both public and private. I end by quoting Professor Graeme Roy, the chair of the Scottish Fiscal Commission, who said: “Doing nothing, not responding to the challenge of climate change, will be far more expensive and damaging to the public finances than investing in net zero … it is simply not an option.” I agree whole-heartedly with Professor Roy. The Deputy Presiding Officer: We have a number of supplementaries, which I hope will be brief.”
“Roz McCall: The much-delayed climate change plan that the cabinet secretary mentions revealed that the Scottish National Party’s net zero plan will cost the Scottish economy £4.8 billion by 2040, as she has said. The plan also admits that many of the proposals have not been fully costed. There is a lack of detail on how those costs will be split between households, businesses and the public sector. Will the cabinet secretary commit to publishing more detail on those proposals, including how much the average Scottish household will be left out of pocket by the plan? Gillian Martin: It is a 15-year plan. Uncertainty around United Kingdom Government action, technological advancements and market decisions make the distribution of costs extremely challenging to estimate. We have set out the costs in line with the legislation.”
“The draft climate change plan, which was published on 6 November, is the first climate change plan in the United Kingdom to set out an assessment of the costs and benefits of the policies within it. Most of those financial benefits are expected to accrue to households and businesses. The draft plan includes the net cost, which is financial costs minus financial benefits, of delivering its policies. That is in line with the approach that is used by the Scottish Fiscal Commission and the Climate Change Committee. That cost to the Scottish economy from 2026 to 2040 is estimated at £4.8 billion. We are seeking views on the presentation of costs and benefits during the plan’s consultation period and will consider those for the final publication.”
“Gillian Martin: I make it clear that, when Scottish Enterprise gives funding or advice to any developers, that has absolutely no implications for the planning process. Scottish Enterprise does not need planning permission to be in place before it can engage with developers or, indeed, any companies; it makes its own decisions about when to give funding and for what reasons, and it does that in relation to a range of developments. I suggest that, if a marine licence application is submitted, that will be the point at which local communities and stakeholders will have an opportunity to air their views. Regardless of specific examples, any developers that want to submit an application should engage with the community thoroughly before doing so. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Assessments (Glasgow) 2.”
“More than £800,000 of that has already been spent, despite the fact that no consent has been given, no environmental assessments or procurement processes have been undertaken, and there has been no meaningful community engagement. Scottish Enterprise even said that the project had to be pushed forward at pace, because any delay in delivery would be a critical risk to the Scottish National Party’s renewables plans. Imagine how that sounds to local residents and fishermen, who were never asked about the project. Given the seriousness of the issue, I will request a ministerial statement later today. Can the cabinet secretary explain to my constituents why their livelihoods and public money were put at risk before communities were even consulted?”
“Although no marine licence applications have been submitted by the developer or any other party, any future application would be subject to the relevant rigorous regulatory processes, which include pre-application consultation and formal public consultation. That will ensure that, should an application be submitted, local communities and stakeholders will have an opportunity to provide their views, which will be taken into consideration as part of the application process. Tim Eagle: Local people are furious about the proposed project and its proposed location, and freedom of information documents that have come out recently make it clear why that is the case. They show that the Scottish Government was behind the proposal from the start, with Scottish Enterprise bankrolling Offshore Solutions Group with a £1.83 million grant.”
“The Scottish Government manages our seas in line with the national marine plan and promotes sustainable development that accounts for existing sea users and protection of our marine environment. I am aware of the strong public concerns about the proposed Moray FLOW-Park, and I recognise the importance of engagement with local communities and the fishing industry. As we have previously explained, the project remains at an early stage, with exploratory activities being undertaken by the developer. I understand that that involves the developer engaging with the local community and other interested stakeholders.”
“Published in Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP All documents are available on the Scottish Parliament website at: www.parliament.scot Information on non-endorsed print suppliers is available here: www.parliament.scot/documents For information on the Scottish Parliament contact Public Information on: Telephone: 0131 348 5000 Textphone: 0800 092 7100 Email: sp.info@parliament.scot”
“At col 7, paragraph 9— Original text— Mr Burnett is referring to an application that has not been put into the Scottish Government’s energy consents unit. Even when it is a live application, he knows full well that I cannot discuss it in public. Corrected text— Mr Burnett is referring to an application that has not been submitted to me by the Scottish Government’s energy consents unit. Even when it is a live application, he knows full well that I cannot discuss it in public. This is the final edition of the Official Report for this meeting. It is part of the Scottish Parliament Official Report archive and has been sent for legal deposit.”
“This morning, I met the leaders of Shetland Islands Council to discuss the need for more community benefits, not just from critical infrastructure but from energy development in general. We are updating our good practice principles on that, but I am pleased to say that, although the previous UK Government was not interested in having enhanced community benefits mandated in law, the current Government is consulting on the issue.”
“Gillian Martin: I absolutely agree with Beatrice Wishart. There is something very wrong with a system in which communities are asked to host critical infrastructure but are still paying the highest electricity prices in the UK. That is why I have been advocating for a number of reforms at UK Government level. The first of those is decoupling the electricity price from the gas price, which was taken off the table as part of the review of electricity market arrangements—REMA— consultation and was never brought back when the new UK Government came in. Secondly, I am advocating for a social tariff, which should make a difference to those in particularly vulnerable households.”
“People who tolerated the divisive Viking wind farm development are now pushing back against what is described as the continual and creeping industrialisation of Shetland, including proposals for more pylons across the landscape and a green ammonia plant. One constituent, who asks for all cables to be underground, writes: “The push for renewable energy is attributed to providing a future plan to tackle climate change, but will there be a future for Shetland if all proposed developments go ahead as planned?” Does the cabinet secretary agree that, when communities such as Shetland host significant national energy generation but continue to have high levels of fuel poverty, there is something wrong with the system? Does she agree that local communities— The Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Wishart.”
“Due to their criticality, the details and locations of CNI assets are classified and not publicly available. As CNI assessments are carried out on existing infrastructure, all building, environmental, planning or related regulations or legislation should be adhered to during the planning and build phase. CNI owners and operators are given extra support for that. Beatrice Wishart: Today, in Shetland, another major developer is hosting a local event about future energy connections across Shetland. The oil and gas industry has been a critical part of Shetland’s economy for the past 50 years. Shetlanders are not against innovation, but many have raised with me a feeling that our islands are being swamped with new energy developments.”
“Critical national infrastructure refers to assets that are assessed to be critical to the functioning and security of the country. That process enables the Government and its partners to prioritise, better understand and mitigate the risks that threaten those critical sites. There are currently 13 officially designated CNI sectors, and responsibility for them is split between relevant devolved Governments and the United Kingdom Government. Scottish devolved CNI sectors include Government; transport, including roads and bridges; emergency services; health; water; food; and chemicals. UK Government reserved CNI sectors in Scotland include energy; transport, including aviation, rail and ports; emergency services, including HM Coastguard; communications; finance; civil nuclear; defence; and space.”
“On 19 March 2024, I discussed with ExxonMobil decarbonisation projects that would provide the impetus for a just transition plan at the site. Dr Alasdair Allan followed that up with ExxonMobil on 28 October 2024, but since then it has been very difficult to engage with. Our officials have engaged with the business since June to try to secure time. We have always said that, once the Grangemouth just transition plan was out, we would work on a Mossmorran one. Of course, the Grangemouth just transition plan has come out only in the past couple of months. Alexander Stewart blames the Scottish Government for the issues, but the business has been clear that United Kingdom Government policy, particularly on energy prices and carbon taxation, has added to the market challenges that it faces. A720 Sheriffhall Roundabout 5.”
“Scottish Enterprise has the unique expertise to secure new investment at both Mossmorran and Grangemouth. It is important to note that the site in Mossmorran consists not only of the Fife ethylene plant. We have assurances that the Shell natural gas liquids plant will remain in operation. Alexander Stewart: Four hundred employees and contractors face redundancy at Mossmorran, but the transition plan that the Scottish Government promised in early 2025 has still not materialised. Instead of there being a blame game between both Governments, when will the Scottish Government take responsibility for protecting the sector and end its presumption against oil and gas in order to prevent job losses in the oil and gas sector supply chain? Gillian Martin: There are two parts to that question. First, I want to outline what we committed to do.”
“The Scottish Government is focused on securing a just transition for workers to avoid jobs being lost and a repeat of the industrial devastation that was inflicted on Scotland by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s. There is no doubt, however, that the closure at Mossmorran is a profound challenge to that just transition approach, and our focus is rightly on the workers and the communities who will be affected by ExxonMobil’s shock announcement. Within our limited economic powers, the Scottish Government is focused on securing new opportunities for those workers. Our work at Grangemouth means that we have a strong foundation to build on. We have line of sight to businesses that may wish to invest and understand the needs of workers and communities.”
“I am particularly glad to see the focus on accessibility in such projects, allowing more of the local community to participate in and benefit from cultural activities. Mossmorran 4.”