SNP urges Anas Sarwar to back its jobs plan at Grangemouth

The party said its plan would bring the total number of jobs to 1,100 following Labour’s “betrayal of the workforce” at Grangemouth.

Mr Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, promised his party would save jobs at the refinery during the 2024 general election campaign.

However, the refinery later ceased operations, resulting in hundreds of job losses.

Last year, the UK government announced a £120 million support package to protect 500 jobs at the UK’s last ethylene plant at the site.

READ MORE: UK Government pledges £120m to save Grangemouth chemical plant

SNP depute leader Keith Brown said: “Grangemouth workers were betrayed by the Labour Party, but we won’t stand by as Scottish industry is punished by Westminster.

“We will create 500 new jobs at Grangemouth, taking the total up to 1,100 – that’s what you get from John Swinney’s strong and experienced leadership.

“Anas Sarwar told a bare-faced lie when he promised the workers of Grangemouth he would save the refinery - now he should do the right thing by apologising to the workers and backing our plan for 500 new jobs.

“The Labour UK Government couldn’t get the cheque book out quick enough to save a refinery and steel works in England, but they allowed the Grangemouth and Mossmorran doors to slam shut. It's time they made amends.”

Responding, Scottish Labour economy spokesperson Daniel Johnson said: "The SNP has been in government for 20 years and failed to lift a finger while Grangemouth reached crisis point.

“After years of inaction from the SNP and the Tories, it was the Labour government that stepped in to save hundreds of jobs at this site.

"For years SNP ministers have been grandstanding at COP about a 'Just Transition' while workers at home were being thrown on the scrapheap.

"John Swinney has made himself comfortable sitting on the fence, but workers in Scotland are paying the price for SNP hypocrisy.

"John Swinney and the SNP are more concerned with winning votes than protecting jobs but Scots will see right through the shameless opportunism and empty promises.”