Douglas Ross says the closure of the Grangemouth Refinery is a devastating blow to the workforce
John Swinney says there will be investment of £100m in the area and immediate career support for workers
Ross asks how many deaths there will be in Scotland due to the scrapping of the winter fuel payment
Swinney says his government was abruptly told the budget would be cut by £160m due to the decision of the UK government
Jackie Baillie, standing in for Anas Sarwar, also focuses on the closure of the Grangemouth refinery, saying the two governments must continue to work together to meet the needs of the workforce
The Scottish Tory leader again asks about how many unnecessary deaths scrapping the payment will cause.
Ross argues the SNP were considering cutting the payment back in May and it could have mitigated against the Labour cut.
He asks: "Why are public sector pen pushers more important to him than stopping pensioners freezing in their homes?"
"I deeply regret the fact that the Scottish goverment finds itself in the position that we find ourselves in," replies the first minister.
He says his government was abruptly told the budget would be cut by £160m due to the decision of the UK government.
"So this is not of our making, or planning and it certainly is not of our choice," he says.
Douglas Ross moves to the winter fuel payment "shamelessly cut by the Labour government at Westminster" which was devolved.
The decision not to pay pensioners was one for the SNP government, who must have known the impact this would have on 900,000 people in Scotland, he says.
He asks if the first minister accepts his government's decision will lead to unnecessary deaths here in Scotland and if so, how many.
Image source, Scottish Parliament"This is a profoundly serious issue," replies John Swinney.
The first minister says his thoughts are with the workforce at Grangemouth.
He says there has been extensive dialogue between the UK government and Petroineos.
Swinney says both governments have announced the approval of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal which will see the investment of £100m in the locality.
There will be immediate career support for workers, he adds.
He points to the Project Willow project looking at a long-term future at the site.
Image source, Scottish ParliamentThe Scottish Tory leader raises the issue of the closure Grangemeouth that was announced this morning.
Douglas Ross points out this will see 400 jobs lost.
"This is a devastating blow to the workforce," says Ross.
He asks what support the Scottish government will put in place to support the employees at this difficult time.
Image source, PA MediaPetroineos announced their intention to close Grangemouth in November last year
We've learned this morning that Scotland's only oil refinery is to close by the summer of next year, with the loss of 400 jobs.
Petroineos said the closure of Grangemouth was due to it being unable to compete with sites in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
The company said the decision would "safeguard fuel supply for Scotland" by converting the site into a terminal able to import petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and kerosene into Scotland - but would require a workforce of fewer than 100 employees compared to the current 475.
The company announced last November that it intended to close the plant, but union leaders had hoped the facility could remain open longer to provide time for a green alternative to be established at the site.
Petroineos said they expected the new hub for finished fuels to open by early summer next year.
John Swinney is poised in his seat and Douglas Ross gets to his feet to begin First Minister's Questions.
Remember you can watch FMQs live here with us, just click on the play icon at the top of this page.
Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent
It’s a week where the likely topics at FMQs feel pretty nailed on.
The looming closure of the refinery at Grangemouth, despite the deal-making efforts of both the Scottish and UK governments, is bound to feature.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives managed to unite Holyrood’s opposition parties to inflict two defeats on the government in a single day on Wednesday.
They will doubtless be keen to capitalise on that, and demand that the will of parliament is respected when it comes to free school meals and peak rail fares.
Labour generally find an excuse to ask about the health services, and with Jackie Baillie in the driving seat today that feels all the more likely.
And the SNP may hope to make hay with events at Westminster too, after the votes this week to means test the winter fuel payment.
Image source, PAFirst Minister John Swinney and Finance Secretary Shona Robison head for the chamber
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of First Minister's Questions, which starts at 12:00.
It comes after the Scottish government lost two votes at Holyrood last night on universal free school meals in primary schools and a call to reverse the decision to return peak rail fares.
Stay with us for all the breaking news, analysis, and clips and remember you can watch FMQs live from 12:00 at the top of this page.
