Not a penny spent: Probe reveals no Westminster cash splashed on Grangemouth at all
After being forced to come clean about what share of the National Wealth Fund under fire industry in Grangemouth received the UK Government admitted it had not committed one single penny.
In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated: “No funding from the National Wealth Fund has been committed or spent on projects at Grangemouth.”
Hundreds of workers lost their jobs at Grangemouth when owners Petroineos closed Scotland’s last remaining oil refinery last year.
Back in February 2025, then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the former oil refinery would receive £200 million.
The FOI confirmation has been met with anger from local elected officials.
Paul Garner, depute leader of Falkirk Council, said: “This is typical of the Labour UK Government. To see them, so early in Andy Burnhams tenure, turn their back on the people of Grangemouth and Scotland is not unexpected, but quite frankly appalling.
“Decisions like this are another critical blow to the energy sector and the workers in and around Grangemouth.”
Falkirk East MSP Martyn Day, whose constituency includes Grangemouth, added: “The Labour Party shut down Grangemouth and now they’ve reneged on yet another promise. It is a complete disgrace.
“£200 million was pledged by the Labour UK Government, but yet again Westminster has betrayed Scottish industry with our energy workers paying the price.”
Union representatives also felt the UK Government had gone back on its promise.
Lorna Robertson, Unite industrial officer said: "Unite members and the wider Grangemouth community are angry over the minimal progress made on the proposals contained in Project Willow, in particular, the lack of development of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel hub.
"The latest insult to injury is the Advanced Fuels Fund - a UK Government grant scheme - gave £162.3 million to projects in England, over £30m went towards Welsh projects while £3m went to a single Scottish project in Orkney. There was no investment earmarked for Grangemouth."
"More than 18 months on, not one penny has been spent from the £200m National Wealth Fund pledged for Grangemouth. Workers and communities do not want to hear more hollow words that the money has been ring-fenced all they want to know is when it will be invested, and when will we see boots on the ground."
Prime Minister Andy Burnham was quizzed in the Commons this week and asked if he would make Grangemouth a “top priority”.
He responded: “I understand there is a possibility of sustainable aviation fuel production at Grangemouth. I find that very interesting, and I keep coming back to it. Perhaps my honourable friend wishes me to persuade No10 North to support him in the development of that proposal.
“I know that there is a financial commitment, but if we do reindustrialise, the money that we put forward to support that process can pay us back over many years to come, through a bigger and flourishing economy in all parts of the UK.”
The Falkirk Herald contacted MP Brian Leishman for comment on the matter but has yet to receive a response.