BP job cuts a 'blow' to oil industry

BP's announcement that it's cutting around 1,000 jobs at its Grangemouth oil refinery is being described as a 'blow' to the industry.

Bosses blame the job cuts, to be phased over two years, on depressed chemicals markets and "a series of operational problems".

The company says the decision follows a 10-week review of the Scottish site, which will result in a streamlining of refining, petrochemicals and the Forties pipeline terminal into a single organisation.

Union officials, workers and local politicians have condemned the move, saying more should have been done to prevent the job losses.

Most staff were too shocked to talk about the news, but Charlie McKechnie, a storeman from nearby Falkirk, described the mood of his meeting as 'angry'.

He said: "People want to know who's on the list, and I hope that will be sooner rather than later."

The SNP's Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, said the Stirlingshire economy had suffered a "terrible blow".

He said he would be seeking a meeting with Scottish enterprise minister Wendy Alexander to discuss the support that must be made available to families affected.

Mr Neil added: "It is a tragedy that an oil-rich nation such as Scotland has so far failed to use its oil revenue to invest in a diverse economic base."

Cathy Peattie, MSP for Falkirk East, said: "This is a big blow for the whole of the service industry and the local economy, but I am happy that BP is looking at a future within Grangemouth."