Why is Grangemouth important?
Grangemouth is the only oil refinery in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK. It normally distributes fuel supplies throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland the North of England. It is a major component of Scotland's economy.
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What is the Scottish Government doing?
The Scottish Government has been concerned for some days that the two parties in this dispute would be unable to resolve their differences - despite the exhaustive efforts of ACAS and the constructive proposal from the Scottish Government for an independent pensions expert to help clarify the pensions issues at the heart of the dispute.
Scottish Government Ministers have been meeting since last Friday to assess the potential impact of the strike and to ensure that we keep Scotland moving. We have been working proactively with the UK Government at Ministerial and official level to prepare for this. As a result, national and local planning is well advanced and tailored to local community needs across Scotland - both urban and rural.
The Scottish Government has wholly devolved responsibility for any response to fuel supply disruption. The UK Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has a National Emergency Plan for Fuel and Scottish Ministers are ready to play their part in its delivery if this proves necessary.
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What will be the effect on the public?
Over the last few days significant extra supplies of imported fuel have been made available in Scotland. The industry advises us that as a result there is sufficient fuel to re-supply petrol forecourts and other users. Together with fuel stocks at Grangemouth this should be sufficient to maintain supplies through this industrial action and into May.
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What should the public do?
As far as possible, go about your business as normal. It is important that people continue to buy fuel as normal because buying extra fuel that you don't need could cause problems in the system that otherwise wouldn't exist. In addition, if you can avoid unnecessary journeys or combine errands then that will help further.
What will happen to the emergency services?
Provided that the demand for fuel is normal, then the best intelligence from the industry is that supplies to all users - including key public services - will be sufficient. If needed, the Emergency Fuel Plan is designed to ensure supply will be provided to essential users to enable them to carry out their roles. Priority will be given to emergency services, public transport, haulage for industry etc.
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What about rail, air and ferry travel? Will they be hit?
The industry is working hard to ensure that fuel supplies get to where they are needed. This applies as much to train operators as to road fuel supplies. The aviation industry has already taken steps to reduce demand in Scotland by refuelling outside Scotland. There are adequate supplies of jet fuel and we don't anticipate interruptions to scheduled flights.
We are very sensitive to the specific needs of rural communities - and especially the islands. We are advised that there are sufficient stocks of fuel to supply ferry services through the strike period and beyond.
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Will there be shortages of fuel? How long will these last?
The industry has made clear that any localised shortages will be re-supplied quickly. The Scottish Government is liaising with UK Government and key industry contacts to monitor the situation very closely and provide national overview and direction. It is likely that there are sufficient stocks, with expected imports, to last into May, i.e. until after the strike. After that, further imports by sea could be required while the refinery is brought back into full operation.
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But there are already reports of fuel shortages.
Some localised shortages have been experienced already as a consequence of higher than normal customer demand, but this does not mean an overall shortage of fuel. The increased demand for fuel has led to some petrol stations running out of supply. The unusual pattern of demand has made it more difficult for tankers to maintain local deliveries to all outlets. Providing consumer demand is normal, then any supply problems should be isolated and temporary.
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What can be done about 'profiteering' by some petrol stations during this period?
Scottish Ministers are firmly on the side of the consumer. Scottish and UK Ministers, and the industry, have been quite clear that there is no justification for profiteering. If there is any evidence of uncompetitive practices then the UK competition authorities have the powers to investigate and act. We will have no hesitation is raising such issues with the UK Government where evidence is provided to us.
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Is rationing being considered?
Not at this stage. The best assessment is that there is no need for the Government at Westminster to take further steps under its emergency powers. The Scottish Government and UK counterparts will continue to engage in joint planning and processes with the aim of minimising disruption to supplies.
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What is being done to source alternative supplies?
Significant additional supplies of imported fuel have already been made available in Scotland. As the situation unfolds a range of options will be considered - including road tanker provision and imports of fuel either through the Forth or other deep water terminals on the west coast.
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Will there be empty shelves in supermarkets?
There is no reason at present why there should be. There is sufficient fuel to fulfil Scotland's needs into May. If the situation were to change, then the National Fuel Plan envisages a number of schemes in place to allow access to fuel which can be activated as - and if - required. This includes supporting the operation of vehicles, important to supply chains and public transport. Keeping public transport going is a priority and so is ensuring food supplies to supermarkets and shops.
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Will domestic power supplies be affected by a strike?
BERR and the National grid anticipate that, while the implications of a shutdown at Grangemouth could be problematic, gas and electricity supplies should be unaffected.
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The UK has 70 days fuel stockpiled. Why can't that be used?
The UK is required as a member of the EU and of the International Energy Agency to hold stocks of oil for use in the event of disruption of oil supply. The fuel supplies at Grangemouth take account of this obligation. This obligation is held by companies across the UK, in the form of crude oil and a range of other products. The stocks of saleable, refined products will be utilised to maintain supplies over the next week.