Reform and Refine
Description
Scotland's only oil refinery is set to close, and the winter fuel payments row continues. Petroineos have confirmed Grangemouth will close next year, putting at threat hundreds of jobs at the UK's oldest refinery, with First Minister John Swinney saying he was "deeply disappointed" at the news. The First Minister also faces the prospect of a stand-off over the Scottish Government's next budget, after the Government were defeated in a Holyrood vote over free school meals. Labour also saw its first defeat in the Commons, but successfully won its vote on its plans to remove winter fuel payments from 10 million pensioners in England and Wales. Where does a week of belt-tightening and bleak warnings leave the two Governments? The Podlitical team discuss this and more.