Fears raised over Fife fuel shortages

Grangemouth refinery could be hit by UK crashing out of EU

Authorities have been urged to “come clean” over the prospect of crippling fuel shortages in and around Fife in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Fears of a return to panic buying on forecourts have been raised amid reports a redacted section of the “worst case scenario” Yellowhammer document refers to the potential closure of two of the country’s six oil refineries, mass job losses and severe disruption to fuel supplies.

Operations on the Forth could be compromised by the UK crashing out of the EU because the refinery at Grangemouth could be negatively hit.

The government papers suggest that could limit the availability of fuel for up to two weeks in regions directly supplied by the site, including Fife.

The government says it is working with the industry to prepare for Brexit, while Fife Council chief executive Steve Grimmond said the authority is gearing up for key risks that could impact on “essential service delivery”.

Authorities have been urged to “come clean” over what impact a no-deal Brexit will have on fuel supplies across Scotland, amid fears disruption in and around the Firth of Forth could see a return to panic buying.

Previously secret documents highlighting details of what could happen if the UK leaves the EU without a deal were published earlier this week, prompting worries about the impact it could have on food and medicine stocks.

But revelations in the Yellowhammer papers suggesting two of Britain’s six refineries could close, leading to fuel shortages and up to 2,000 direct job losses, have sparked concerns around the country’s preparedness if the refinery at Grangemouth and the marine terminal at Hound Point in the Forth were to be impacted.

The Yellowhammer document highlights how the UK Government’s decision not to apply tariffs to imports of petrol in the event of a no-deal Brexit would effectively “undermine” the industry’s plans to mitigate any impact on refinery margins, and would result in significant financial losses and the closure of two refinery sites.

The paragraph outlining the impact on the UK oil refining industry was the only part redacted before publication. It was not blacked out in a version previously leaked.

The papers say it could lead to strike action and disruptions to fuel availability for up to two weeks in the regions directly supplied by the refineries – meaning Fife and the surrounding areas could be the worst-hit.

Shortages and huge queues were reported in spring and summer 2008 when a refinery workers’ strike at Grangemouth led to panic-buying.

Calls for measures to avoid a repeat of those scenes have been stepped up.

The SNP’s foreign affairs and Europe spokesman, North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins, said: “No one is arguing that Brexit is a good idea any more.

“Instead we are debating and discussing medicine and food shortages that will have the worst impact on the most vulnerable. Added to that are concerns about the impact on fuel and at Grangemouth.

“The government must come clean about the impact this will have on jobs and motorists.”

The UK Government has repeatedly insisted Operation Yellowhammer focuses on the “worst-case scenarios” if the UK leaves without a deal in place and it is working with the industry to prepare for Brexit.

“We will continue to work flat-out to prepare for the potential impact on UK refineries in the event of Brexit without a deal,” a spokesperson said.

Ineos, which operates the oil refinery at Grangemouth, has previously warned a no-deal scenario would pose a “significant risk” to its business because of uncertainty over trade tariffs and potential delays at ports.

Fife Council chief executive Steve Grimmond said the kingdom will be as prepared as possible. A Cosla spokesperson said: “Specifically in terms of fuel resilience, local authorities are... in regular contact with officials from the Department for Business.”