Hundreds of jobs under threat at Grangemouth chemical plant

Hundreds of jobs are under threat at the Grangemouth chemical plant after a series of recent announcements. The latest risk follows the closure of a nearby lipid refinery in April last year, which already resulted in the loss of roughly 400 positions. In March, Alexander Dennis revealed plans to shut its Falkirk facility, eliminating 115 roles. The UK government, under former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, had previously pledged an additional £200 million for Grangemouth from the National Wealth Fund. Flynn said the Scottish authorities had "strongly opposed" Syngenta's plans. He said helium would proceed to property the UK authorities connected the £200m backing pot. "My thoughts are with the workers, their families and the section assemblage who volition beryllium affected by this decision," helium said. "We made wide to Syngenta's committee our beardown absorption to immoderate imaginable standard down oregon closure of their Grangemouth site." Flynn added: "During this play of consultation, I sincerely anticipation that the UK authorities volition present supply immoderate of the £200m committed to Grangemouth, since not a azygous penny has yet been allocated from that money promised successful 2024." McDougall said the UK authorities would enactment with the National Wealth Fund in the coming days to "explore each options for the area". "I cognize this volition beryllium a profoundly concerning clip for workers astatine Syngenta and their families, and I met with the institution earlier contiguous to sermon each options for the tract and the workforce," helium said. "We volition proceed to enactment intimately with some of them and look astatine each options for the tract and the workforce." The Scottish Green Party co‑leader, Gillian Mackay, said the determination was different "devastating blow" for the area. "Our governments should beryllium doing much to support jobs and guarantee that workers tin payment from our modulation to a greener future," she said. "Grangemouth is my home, and I americium acrophobic astir what this volition mean for the section assemblage if it goes ahead."