THE Scottish government’s Grangemouth transition plan has been slammed as putting “buzzwords” before action.

The cluster at Grangemouth, responsible for 8 per cent of Scotland’s manufacturing capacity and 7.2 per cent of carbon emissions, was hit with a hammer-blow earlier in the year as PetroIneos announced plans to close its oil refinery on the site, with the loss of 2,822 jobs across the supply chain.

The report sets out the SNP Scottish government’s vision to see it turned into “a thriving industrial cluster which has reduced carbon emissions to net zero” by 2045.

Acting minister for climate action Alasdair Allan said: “Our first regional just transition plan published today sets out our approach to support the growth of a decarbonised economy that puts local communities at its heart.”

Unite Scottish secretary Derek Thomson remained unconvinced and warned of an “economic earthquake” should the closure go ahead.

He said: “Unite believes that the UK and Scottish governments must step in to keep the refinery open by taking a transitional stake until such a time we can deliver the greener jobs of the future.

“Unless this public support happens then both governments will be responsible for creating working class wastelands and allowing mass industrial vandalism to take place.”

Echoing Unite’s calls, local Labour MP Brian Leishman told the Star: “What we have here is a document that puts a series of buzzwords before a genuine plan for action.

“We need both governments, UK and Scottish, to act and putting a £10 million each into a growth deal just isn’t going to cut it.

“We need action to protect jobs, to protect skills, and to build the industries of the future for Grangemouth.

“They have the power to nationalise, they need to use it.”