WORKERS from across Scotland will descend on Grangemouth this Saturday amid “growing belief” that jobs and the oil refinery itself can be saved.

The site and its 2,000-strong workforce, thought to account for 4 per cent of Scotland’s GDP and 8 per cent of its manufacturing base, was plunged into uncertainty in November when anti-trade union oligarch Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Petroineos firm announced its plan to close its refinery in 2025 after a century of operations.

Unions have since fought to secure a future for the site, calling for a reprieve while plans for a green just transition for its highly skilled workforce can be developed and put into action, but have been highly critical of the SNP administration and the outgoing Tory government for their inaction — both before and after November’s closure announcement.

Now, ahead of Unite’s Keep Grangemouth Working Campaign’s rally at the weekend, the union’s general secretary Sharon Graham hinted at progress after high-level discussions with the government to secure £1.6 million to fund Project Willow, exploring low carbon projects at Grangemouth.

The news came amid what Unite’s Scottish secretary Derek Thomson called “a sea change in government attitude both at Holyrood and Westminster over the refinery’s future” in recent weeks.

He added: “Grangemouth is one of the greatest tests the just transition process will ever face in Scotland.

“We need to get this right for the workers based at the refinery, and the thousands more dependent upon it in the wider supply chain and Grangemouth community.”

Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth Brian Leishman told the Star: “We have the opportunity of investing in the new cleaner greener industries that would re-industrialise Grangemouth. 

“Sustainable aviation fuel, hydrogen, solar, onshore wind, carbon capture — nothing should be off the table as we look to build an industrial site at Grangemouth that would provide highly skilled and well paid jobs. 

“The refinery workers have run a fantastic campaign highlighting the need for extending the life of the refinery, investing in the new industries we need and a true just transition that leaves no-one behind.  

“Saturday is a march for jobs but also a platform to show solidarity with a town that wants to be part of a green industrial future. A future we all need.”

Workers will gather at 11am in Grangemouth Stadium, marching at 11.30am to a 1pm rally in the town’s Zealand Park.