THE closure of the Grangemouth oil refinery has shrunk the Scottish economy hard, according to latest figures.

Scottish government statistics show GDP fell by 0.2 per cent in May, a month that saw manufacturing output fall by 4.1 per cent with the closure of the nation’s only oil refinery.

Despite campaigns to save the plant and deliver a planned transition to clean technologies for workers and the community alike, neither UK nor Scottish governments intervened to stop owners Pertoineos ending production in April at the cost of 100 jobs on site and an estimated 2,800 jobs in the wider supply chain.

Acknowledging the “cessation of oil refining at Grangemouth has contributed to a reduced output in the manufacturing sector,” SNP Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “Ministers are working closely to provide a just transition for the workforce and we have so far committed around £87 million to support the industrial cluster.

“By pursuing new investment opportunities and supporting entrepreneurship, the Scottish government is taking steps to grow Scotland’s economy.”

Unconvinced, independent MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, Brian Leishman told the Star: “Who knew allowing Scotland’s only oil refinery to close at the cost of hundreds of jobs in Grangemouth and thousands in the wider supply chain would damage Scotland’s economy?

“The SNP Scottish government knew this was coming for years and didn’t lift a finger, and now they're taking the same approach with bus manufacturing at Alexander Dennis.

“They’ve had nearly 20 years to come up with an industrial strategy, where is it?

“They’re no friend of manufacturing, they’re no friend of the unions, and they’re no friend to the thousands of workers now paying the price for their indolence.”