Hi ,

How hard is it for the first minister of Scotland to get in a room with a billionaire?

The closure of Grangemouth was surrounded by controversy, with the Scottish Government struggling to wield influence over the owner of the century-old refinery.

So we decided to find out exactly how much sway the first minister had with Grangemouth's owner, Jim Ratcliffe. Using freedom of information legislation, we asked the Scottish Government about Swinney's attempts to meet with Ratcliffe ahead of the closure.

They revealed it took the first minister months, and several chaser emails, to secure a 30-minute meeting on Grangemouth with the Ineos boss – and even then it only took place on Microsoft Teams.

Critics say it shows just how little sway ministers may have over big industrial decisions. And that matters now more than ever because the energy transition - the move from fossil fuels to clean power - will reshape lives and communities across Scotland.

With climate and energy set to be a flashpoint in next year’s parliamentary election, The Ferret is launching a major new investigation into who really holds the power over this transition.

We know this is an issue affecting people the length and breadth of Scotland. So we have big plans to involve you, our members, in this investigation.

But to start with we want to ask where you think we should be looking. We want to hear from workers and affected communities about the transition stories that matter to them. Got a tip? Get in touch here or email us at contact@theferret.scot

Yours,

Ali

Story of the week

An in-depth look at a Ferret investigation

It took John Swinney two and a half months to secure a key meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe on the future for workers at Grangemouth – and the billionaire only spared half an hour of his time on a video call.

The first minister wrote to the Ineos chair and chief executive on 6 February asking to meet him at a “very early opportunity” to discuss “a way forward that protects employment at Grangemouth”.

But despite an offer from Swinney to travel to meet Ratcliffe in person, the Scottish Government could only secure a 30-minute meeting on Microsoft Teams with him on 25 April.

That was 78 days after Swinney contacted Ratcliffe – who ranked at number seven on the Sunday Times rich list and is reportedly worth over £17bn –  and just four days before it was announced the century-old refinery at Grangemouth had processed its last oil. 

What did we dig up this week?

A round up of our investigations in the last seven days

John Swinney rapped by stats regulator over attainment gap claim

During a Holyrood meeting in May, the first minister incorrectly claimed the SNP had reduced the “overall poverty-related attainment gap” in Scotland by 60 per cent. 

‘Frustrating and disheartening’: Glasgow community group blames council for delays to Covid-19 memorial

Glasgow City Council has been accused of “moral” failure over delays to a memorial for victims of the Covid-19 pandemic which is sitting in storage at taxpayers expense.

Scottish veterans could lose out as charity fundraiser is axed

Scots war heroes have criticised Poppyscotland for axing their top fundraiser in a move that has triggered fears of creeping centralisation from London. 

Question of the week

Does Jim Ratcliffe have too much power over the energy transition?

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Create an account here to get access.

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UK brands found in ‘fast fashion graveyard’ in African conservation area

Discarded clothing from Next, Asda, and M&S found in protected wetlands threatened by new waste dumps near Ghana’s capital. (Unearthed)

NYC comptroller, mayoral candidate arrested by ICE

Mayoral candidate Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents for allegedly assaulting law enforcement while escorting a defendant out of immigration court Tuesday. (AXIOS)

HSBC breaks pledge to phase out coal for second year running

The bank helped raise $2.4bn last year in deals that seem to violate its phase-out policy for coal, the world’s dirtiest fossil fuel. (TBIJ)

Any comments? Have you seen something we could include? Email us at contact@theferret.scot.

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