The inaugural meeting of a dedicated task force for the Mossmorran industrial site is set to take place this Wednesday, marking a critical step in supporting hundreds of workers facing imminent redundancy. This development follows the confirmed closure of the Fife Ethylene Plant next month, a decision that places over 400 jobs at risk and deals a significant blow to Scotland's industrial landscape.
A Plant Deemed No Longer Economically Viable
Owners ExxonMobil, the global energy giant, have stated that the Mossmorran facility is no longer economically sustainable. Despite efforts to find a buyer for the site, the company was unsuccessful, ultimately forcing the difficult decision to shutter the operations. The closure represents a substantial loss for the local economy and the wider Scottish manufacturing sector.
Government Intervention and Financial Support
In response to the announcement, the Scottish Government moved swiftly to establish a support task force, which will be spearheaded by Fife Council. A substantial financial commitment of £9 million has been pledged in this month's draft Budget, allocated over the next three years specifically to aid the affected workforce and the surrounding community.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who will be attending the meeting alongside Business Minister Richard Lochhead, emphasised the urgency of the situation. "This is a worrying time for the workforce at Mossmorran and they rightly expect urgent action," she stated ahead of the gathering. "We have allocated £9 million over three years in our draft Budget to help staff and communities affected by the plant's closure. Today's meeting is an opportunity to engage with the UK Government, Fife Council, unions and local partners to agree how we best support individuals impacted by ExxonMobil's decision."
Forbes also highlighted the immediate support being provided through the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (Pace) initiative, which is already offering skills development and employability assistance to the workers.
Cross-Government Collaboration and Future Prospects
A UK Government spokesperson outlined their proactive approach, noting that the meeting signifies the beginning of a sustained effort. "Today's meeting is just the start of a process to support the Mossmorran workers and find a viable future for the site," the spokesperson said. "We are working with Fife council, the Scottish Government and other partners to support the workforce and to explore future options for the site."
The spokesperson detailed concrete actions already undertaken, including securing first-preference job opportunities for Mossmorran workers at the Grangemouth site, which is receiving millions in UK Government investment. Active discussions with other major employers across Fife are also underway. Furthermore, engagement with the UK Government's Office for Investment has reportedly generated encouraging levels of interest from potential buyers for the Mossmorran site itself.
"We are determined that the Mossmorran site and its dedicated workforce have the best possible chance of a successful future," the UK Government spokesperson concluded, underscoring a shared commitment to mitigating the impact of the closure and seeking new opportunities for the region.
