Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 3 September 2025.
Michelle Thomson
Scottish National Party
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with United Kingdom Government ministers regarding the potential impact on the Scottish economy of recent developments with the Grangemouth cluster. (S6O-04873)
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
I have regular engagements with various UK Government ministers, not least yesterday, when I met the energy Minister Michael Shanks to discuss Grangemouth in particular.
The Grangemouth investment task force and Grangemouth future industry board continue to be fruitful vehicles for collaboration between the energy secretary and United Kingdom ministers. In May, I asked the Secretary of State for Business and Trade for a meeting to discuss wider issues in the Grangemouth cluster to jointly secure the future of Ineos Olefins & Polymers Europe (UK) at Grangemouth. The Minister of State for Industry responded to me on 29 August, and I very much look forward to having that discussion in due course.
Michelle Thomson
Scottish National Party
The Cabinet secretary has alluded to concerns that are increasingly being raised about contagion as a result of the impact of UK Government policies on the energy sector. My immediate concerns are the vital chemical cluster around Grangemouth, but I am also concerned about the throughput of the Forties pipeline and, therefore, ultimate viability. It is also clear that the energy profit levy is biting investment hard, and I find it staggering that there is no sign of the promised £200 million—paltry though that may be—from the UK Government. I know that discussions have been had, but is the cabinet secretary any clearer on whether the UK Government plans to follow through on the promises that have been made and, consequently, on timescales?
Kate Forbes
Scottish National Party
Michelle Thomson has raised a number of important issues, and I will start with the wider cluster. We are very conscious of the challenges faced by the wider chemicals business. I meet the chief executive of Ineos O&P Europe (UK) monthly to provide the business with an opportunity to update me on how global market pressures in the wider energy landscape are impacting on operations at Grangemouth. I am also engaging directly with the UK Government on those matters—indeed, I raise them at most of my meetings with the Secretary of State for Scotland—and I am pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to make some progress on the issue.
The member mentioned the energy profits levy. She will have seen my comments yesterday on the need for a very urgent replacement of that fiscal regime and on certainly not having to wait until 2030.
Lastly, the member talked about some of the wider opportunities that are emerging through project willow and how we unlock the National Wealth Fund commitment to funding. That is a particular priority at the moment. We know that some of those opportunities are far advanced. In fact, that was the nature of my conversation with Michael Shanks yesterday—looking at how we progress that to secure the funding and get the opportunities in place.
Annabelle Ewing
Scottish National Party
That concludes portfolio questions on the Deputy First Minister’s responsibilities, economy and Gaelic.
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Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
