Grangemouth plans to be announced 'soon'
However the Scottish Conservatives have criticised Labour's approach to Grangemouth, saying it is "managed decline".Both the UK and Scottish governments have pledged millions of pounds to support the site, while the results of a £1.5m feasibility study - looking at potential low-carbon alternative uses - was published in March.Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Show, Shanks said discussions with investors on Grangemouth's future was ongoing and that they were focused on the "long-term".He said: "We've had some really positive meetings around potential investors, in fact there's more than 80 investors who have come forward."I'm hopeful we will have some announcements soon. We have some really exciting, viable projects coming forward that will deliver jobs at Grangemouth long into the future."
Earlier this week, Jan Robertson, Grangemouth director for Scottish Enterprise, said she had received a "mixture of inquiries" from businesses, including those interested in the site as well as some which "have a good opportunity to become projects in the relatively near-term"."What I mean by that is the next three to four years," she told Holyrood's economy and fair work committee."Our approach very much at the moment is working with those and working as closely and quickly as we can to make the progress that we want to see in Grangemouth."Scotland's Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said at the committee that the "door's not closed" to companies and inquiries could still be made about working at Grangemouth, adding that Petroineos had also received approaches.Ms Martin said she was hopeful for the future of Grangemouth."We could look back five years and start pointing fingers, but the most important thing is that in the last year - actually the last six months - Project Willow and the task force have moved things along in a way that's been swift, agile, focused," she said."I am feeling so much more confident than I did this time last year in the prospects for that site."
Shanks' remarks come days after the UK government confirmed £200m would be provided to progress the Acorn Carbon Capture and Storage scheme in Aberdeenshire.Acorn said part of that investment – which it claimed would secure 18,000 jobs in the energy sector that would otherwise have been lost – would involve capturing CO2 at Grangemouth and transporting it to storage facilities under the North Sea.UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the Acorn scheme – which will be based at the St Fergus gas terminal near Peterhead – would "support industrial renewal in Scotland".
Shanks said the Acorn investment, announced as part of chancellor Rachel Reeves' spending review, was designed to lure in further funding from private investment.He described it as "development funding" and said he was "confident" other investors would come forward.Shanks also said current North Sea oil and gas projects would be allowed to run to completion but reiterated that no further licenses for drilling would be granted.Reeves' spending review also committed £14.2bn of investment to build the new Sizewell C nuclear plant on the Suffolk coastline, creating 10,000 jobs.Shanks said that Scotland was missing out on similar investment, and repeated calls for the Scottish government to end its "ideological position" of presumption against nuclear power.The SNP has long rejected calls to end its effective ban, saying investment would be "better placed in areas of renewable energy".Shanks said: "I'm not going to make any apologies for the government investing in nuclear where thousands of highly skilled jobs could be delivered including in Scotland if it wasn't for the ideological position of the SNP to block new nuclear."We could be delivering those well paid, skilled jobs here in Scotland but they've turned their face against that and they'll have to answer for that."
'Tone deaf'
The Scottish Conservatives' energy spokesman, Douglas Lumsden, described Shanks' comments as "tone deaf," accusing the Labour government of "economic vandalism".He reiterated calls by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for new licences to be issued for oil drilling in the North Sea.He said: "Labour has sold our oil and gas industry down the river – and the SNP's cheering them on."Michael Shanks talks about managing the transition, but this is managed decline. At this pace, we'll lose 400 jobs every two weeks, like shutting Grangemouth twice a month."We need to bin the Energy Profits Levy and lift the ban on new licences - before it's too late."
The latest escalation in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring with questions about what that could mean for the world economy.The UK energy minister Michael Shanks told the BBC's Sunday Show his department is "preparing for all scenarios" as there's concern motorists could be hit hard with a doubling of the price at the pumps.As many focus on life "beyond oil", it's a stark reminder that it's still the vital fuel for the world economy.Opponents have claimed this government doesn't back the North Sea enough and that increasing production locally could provide energy security.He said it doesn't matter where the oil comes from as it's still subject to the volatility of international oil markets.As Scotland is steered into that post-oil world, the minister also expressed his support for the north-east sector to ensure there's a "just transition".He was once again critical of the SNP's stance against nuclear – but there's concern the UK government is directing too much of an investment towards that as part of the UK's energy mix.Meanwhile, as the pipeline at the former Grangemouth oil refinery runs dry as production ends there was some good news.Michael Shanks is hopeful of an announcement soon on its future.His government's made £200m available to try to create a long-term future for the area and Scottish Enterprise is conducting "due diligence" on potential investors.The remaining industry will watch with interest to see if this works – and judge how "just" this transition is.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
15 minutes ago
- BBC News
Wiltshire a solar farm dumping ground, says councillor
A councillor said a rural county had become "a dumping ground for solar farms" as a 218-acre plan was discussed. Reform UK councillor Chris Brautigam also told Wiltshire Council's strategic planning committee "we've already done our bit" on meeting solar targets. He spoke as the authority turned down the Potterne Park Farm proposal, between the villages of Potterne, Urchfont, and Easterton. But council officers said the applicant can reapply after providing more information on the impact on archaeological Grubb, from the Potterne Solar Farm Project, said climate change meant the proposal "qualifies as a critical national priority". Referring to the council exceeding by 39% its 2030 solar target, Brautigam told the committee "Wiltshire is a dumping ground for solar farms. We've already done our bit."The plans also followed the rejection of a 70-acre solar farm just a mile from the 218-acre site, on 30 May. Steve Holt of Potterne Solar Action Group, a local campaign group fighting both solar farm applications, welcomed the latest refusal but wanted to see the reasons strengthened."One month ago a refusal notice was issued for One Tree Hill. This is the same landscape, the same valley, and the same ecosystem," he said. "But this proposal is three times larger, and the impact will be even greater." Arguing for the latest scheme Mr Grubb said: "This proposal is for a clean energy generator brought forward at a time when fossil fuel power stations are being phased out, electricity demand is rising sharply, and international conflicts continue to leave us exposed to volatile gas prices."We're also seeing extreme weather from climate change impacting farming and our health. This proposal clearly qualifies as a critical national priority."And farmer and landowner Philip Abbatt, explained falling crop prices, rising costs and climate change were bringing uncertainty. "The stable income from the solar farm would underpin the survival of the business and allow the next generation to continue farming with confidence in a changing world," he said. The meeting heard the site is 300 metres from a scheduled monument, the site of a medieval moated hunting officers said the applicant had "failed to provide sufficient information" on the development's potential impact on archaeological assets. But the meeting heard a re-submitted plan could be recommended for approval. Mr Grubb urged the committee to concentrate on the "specific point" on which it was rejected "rather than letting it jeopardise a proposal that is otherwise described as acceptable and will bring huge benefits".
The Sun
18 minutes ago
- The Sun
How young people can boost chances with ways out of AI-fuelled job dilemmas
THE number of entry-level jobs suitable for school and college leavers has dropped dramatically. They have plunged by almost a third since ChatGPT was launched in November 2022, as more firms begin to use AI for basic tasks. 4 Already, almost a million young people aged under 25 are categorised as being NEETs — not in employment, education or training. But while firms complain of a skills shortage, unlocking the potential of jobless youngsters could plug the gap and turbocharge economic growth. Youth Employment Week begins on Monday and will see charities, social enterprises and youth workers come together to highlight the enormous potential of the UK's younger generation. Here are some of the best to help you . . . MOVEMENT TO WORK is a not-for-profit coalition of major UK employers aiming to break the 'no work experience, no work' cycle. Employers including Accenture, BAE Systems, Barclays, Centrica, Diageo, Marriott, M&S, Tesco and Salesforce have signed up to offer work experience to NEETs. Applicants do not need formal qualifications. After Brandon Tattersall lost his job at Currys he was out of work for 16 months. But with help from his social worker, he secured a placement at BAE Systems through Movement to Work and was offered a job with the firm. Now 26, Brandon is an HR data analyst. He said: 'The programme didn't just offer a placement — it gave me the skills and interview practice needed to feel prepared for future applications and gain the real work experience employers ask for.' Movement to Work CEO Sareena Bains said: 'In the face of rising youth unemployment and economic inactivity, removing barriers to work has never been more critical.' See or contact info@ As a dad at the age of 14 and a grandfather at 35, Alex Hughes has faced struggles in his life. But he is now one of the country's leading social entrepreneurs, running youth work placement specialists Alex said: 'I would love to see society treat young people as contributors, not problems to fix. "We need to stop seeing youth unemployment as a charity issue and start treating it like a national economic priority.' Through targeted careers coaching and locally focused work experience, Alex has helped 10,000 young people into jobs, training and community work in Cambridgeshire and he has plans to roll out the programme across the country. He is also calling for employers to recognise what many NEET people have experienced. He added: 'If someone's navigated homelessness, debt, care or trauma, they have the resilience and resourcefulness many employers want.' YOUTH EMPLOYMENT UK offers careers advice and free online training for young people, including virtual work experience with big-name companies. There is also local support and the chance to explore individual employers. You can find out more at 4 Top tips UNEMPLOYED and feeling out of luck? Here are Alex Hughes' top tips to help . . . 1. You are not the problem. The system is messy, and it often makes you feel like you are failing. You just haven't found your space yet. 2. Find your people. Surround yourself with those who listen and look out for you. Whether it is a youth group, a mentor or a local hub. Community changes everything. 3. Try something that feels too small to matter. A one-day event. A volunteer role. Saying yes to a random opportunity. That tiny move might be your big unlock. Just consider how this experience will help you develop yourself. 4. Turn rejection into redirection. Every 'no' is fuel. Take it as a sign you are trying and that means you are already further than most. 5. Ask for help, loudly or quietly. There are people and places who are built to back you. Don't suffer in silence. You are not alone. 6. Dream big then take one step. You don't need a ten-year plan. You need a reason to get out of bed this week. One step is enough. Then another. Then another. 'ROLE AT GP SURGERY HAS BOOSTED MY FINANCIAL HEALTH' WHEN you are young with a learning disability or autism, finding a job can be even more challenging. But supported internships are proving one of the most effective ways for people to show off their skills to potential employers. 4 DFN Project SEARCH is a charity that helped more than 4,500 young people gain work experience last year, with structured study programmes for school and college leavers aged 16 to 24. The national charity works with young people who have an Education, Health and Care Plan. It aims to increase the employment rate for youngsters with special educational needs and disabilities, with 63 per cent of trainees going on to employment. One of the programme's top success stories is Juned Ali, from London. Juned, who has a mild learning disability, did a placement at Queen Mary University of London. He now has a role as a GP's co-ordinator and administrative assistant. He said: 'DFN Project SEARCH has completely changed my life. At first, my mum was reluctant about me starting the supported internship, but when she saw how well I was doing, she was proud. 'Now, I earn my own money. I don't have to ask my family for things, like I did when I was younger. I can just go out and get it. I kick-started my career from the age of 18, and I'm thriving. 'I'm 20 years old, and my goal is to keep progressing in my career, work towards higher roles and, someday, get married.' Kirsty Matthews, CEO of DFN Project SEARCH, said: 'We see young adults with a learning disability, who are autistic, or both, demonstrate their talents and capabilities every day.' SWERVE BURNOUT WITH HOL 'HOLIDAY hoarding' is a growing issue, as two thirds of staff now fail to take half their annual leave by the middle of the year. HR experts have designated this week as the peak for burnout, with staff becoming ill through lack of time off. 4 Charlie O'Brien, of Breathe HR, shares her advice for tacking holiday hoarding. 1. Reflect on why you are holiday hoarding. Are you leaving it late when it comes to booking holidays? Is your workload preventing you from taking a break? Or are you worried about what your employer might think if you take all your leave? If it is a workplace culture or workload issue, talk to your manager. We are all entitled to take our holiday and our employer should not make us feel guilty about doing so. 2. Book time off – even if you don't end up going away. We need regular breaks from work to give us time to relax, reset, and show up as our best selves at work. 3. Make a plan to 'holiday hack'. Maximising annual leave is really important. Be savvy about when you book leave, and plan ahead to spread your holidays through the year. Look at least a year ahead and make the most of the bank holidays to stretch your leave even further. 4. Try microbreaks. Getting the dates booked is the first step to holding yourself accountable and giving yourself permission to take the regular breaks from work you are entitled to. 5. Assess why you are carrying over holiday to the next year. It's fine if it is planned, but it shouldn't be happening by accident. Cost of teenage try-outs A LACK of money is holding back millions of young people from accessing work experience, research says. The AAT study reveals 41 per cent of 14 to 18-year-olds have less than £8 per day to spend on work experience-related costs such as travel, food and suitable clothing. Meanwhile, almost a third of employers say increased operational and staffing costs are affecting their ability to pay work experience students or cover expenses. To help, AAT has teamed up with Springpod to launch virtual work experience into the sought-after accountancy sector. AAT boss Sarah Beale said: 'Too many young people are locked out of early career experiences simply because they don't have the opportunities or right connections. 'That's a clear barrier to social mobility, and one we are determined to break down.' Apply for work experience at
Times
22 minutes ago
- Times
Virgin Trains' attempt to get back on to the railways blocked
Virgin Trains' attempt to get back on to the railways has been blocked by the rail regulator. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has turned down all three existing applications to run private company train services out of London Euston along the west coast mainline. The regulator says there is insufficient capacity on the line and it would affect existing passenger train and freight users. The ruling comes after pressure from Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, for the regulator to clamp down on 'open access' train services because they might take income away from the government's renationalised Great British Railway (GBR). Virgin had planned to run services along the line to Glasgow as well as separate services to Manchester and Liverpool. The other rejected applications were from First Group, which wanted to run a new cut-price Lumo service to Manchester, and the French company Alstom, which had wanted to run a service to north Wales. Virgin, which ran the west coast mainline franchise for two decades after privatisation, immediately vented its frustration. 'The decision is a blow for consumer choice and competition,' a Virgin Group spokesperson said. 'We believe that given the opportunity, Virgin's open access routes could play a valuable role in delivering the high-quality train services the British public deserve and GBR wants to encourage. 'Anyone who remembers British Rail would rather forget it. Competition improves services, increases rail ridership and drives better results for everyone, including the taxpayer.' In a statement, the regulator said: 'ORR has concluded there is insufficient capacity on the west coast main line southern section for the introduction of any of the proposed services. 'To introduce any of these proposals would be detrimental to performance on the line and therefore all passengers and freight customers.' Open access rail services, which popped up during the years of privatisation, are operations run by a private company filling gaps in the timetable or the network and are run outside the ambit of the Department for Transport (DfT) without subsidy and retaining all their own profit. Earlier this year Alexander had warned the ORR that such open access operations risked taking revenues from GBR and the taxpayer and creating congestion on the network. The ORR said revenue abstraction was not the issue in its ruling: 'In the case of these three applications, lack of capacity and the anticipated impact on performance alone meant we could not approve them. As such, our duty to have regard to the funds available to the secretary of state was not relevant to this decision.' FirstGroup has been a leading open access operator, running Lumo, a London-Edinburgh service and Hull Trains. The services at times or on routes ignored by the DfT have proved to be highly profitable. It has already gained licences to provide new open access services between London Paddington and Carmarthen in Wales and London Euston and Stirling in Scotland. It is the operator of Avanti Trains' intercity services under DfT contract on the west coast mainline. Of the decision to block a new Lumo service from Euston to Rochdale north of Manchester, First said: 'We are disappointed. Open access services are good for the communities they serve, offering new travel options and reaching under-served stations, and giving great value fares for passengers. These operators bring significant private investment to both the rail sector and UK [train] manufacturing.' Alstom said it had spent two years preparing the Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway and had received encouragement and support from the DfT for the open access operation. 'We are extremely disappointed,' a spokesman said. 'We have received overwhelming support from local people, businesses, councillors and MPs, who all recognise the urgent need for this connectivity. We will now urgently seek to re-engage with the ORR and determine our next steps regarding the future of this vital passenger service.' 'A setback for passengers seeking greater choice' Open access train operations are a legacy of the gaps in the network or the timetable created during the privatised era, when private companies launched new services, taking all the risk without state subsidy, and reaped all the profit if they made it work. All current open access operations are on the east coast main line into and out of London Kings Cross competing with — or complementing — services run by state-owned LNER: FirstGroup's Hull Trains direct services to Humberside; FirstGroup's Lumo service to and from Edinburgh; and Grand Central, owned by Arriva, serving northern towns and cities. Tony Lodge, a research fellow of the Centre for Policy Studies and a long-term campaigner for open access, criticised the decision by the Office for Rail and Road (ORR) to block all three extant applications to run services on the west coast main line into and out London Euston. He said: 'It is a significant setback for passengers seeking greater choice, reduced fares, and expanded route options. Open access competition on the east coast main line has successfully delivered all of these, driving increased passenger numbers and revenue growth. The recent pressure from Whitehall to reject these open access proposals is particularly concerning.' Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, had instructed the ORR to think very carefully about revenue abstraction and network congestion before green-lighting any new open access applications. Notwithstanding the unedifying precedent of ministerial interference in an independent regulator, Alexander will have been influenced by a look at the books of FirstGroup. As a Department for Transport contractor running the giant regional networks of Avanti, GWR and South West Railway, FirstGroup last year made a profit of £107 million on annual revenues of about £3.5 billion, a profit margin of up to 3 per cent. In the same period Hull Trains and Lumo made £34 million on annual revenues of just £106 million for a profit margin of 32 per cent, returns unprecedented on Britain's railways. Open access operations are minuscule compared with the network as a whole. As a battlefield for the argument of private versus public ownership, the issue could become a noisy cuckoo in the nest.
