Mossmorran taskforce to meet for first time

A taskforce aimed at supporting workers at risk of redundancy at Mossmorran in Fife will meet for the first time later.

The Fife Ethylene Plant will close next month, putting more than 400 jobs at risk, according to owners ExxonMobil.

The global energy giant said the plant was no longer economically viable and it was unable to sell it, forcing the decision to shut the facility.

The Scottish government said it would use the taskforce, led by Fife Council, to understand the needs of the workforce and local community.

It has allocated £9m over three years to help staff and communities affected by the plant's closure.

Speaking ahead of the meeting - which is due to begin at 14:00 and will be attended by Business Minister Richard Lochhead - Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: "This is a worrying time for the workforce at Mossmorran and they rightly expect urgent action.

"I met worker representatives earlier this month to assure them that we are doing all we can to support them and the wider community.

She added: "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.

"In the meantime, our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative is providing skills and employability support for workers."

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has said the UK government will not intervene to save the plant, but pledged to support the workforce.

The plant was losing £1m a week, according to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

ExxonMobile chairman Paul Greenwood partly blamed UK government policies for the decision to shut the factory.

He said the UK government's decision not to issue new licences for North Sea oil and gas exploration contributed to higher ethalene prices.

Windfall and emissions taxes increased operating costs, he added.

A UK government spokesperson said: "Today's meeting is just the start of a process to support the Mossmorran workers and find a viable future for the site.

"We are working with Fife council, the Scottish government and other partners to support the workforce and to explore future options for the site.

"While the commitment of future investment from the Scottish government is welcome, the UK government is taking action now.

"We have already delivered for the workforce by ensuring that they have first preference for new jobs at the Grangemouth site - which we are supporting with millions of pounds of investment. We are also in active discussions with other big employers across Fife."

The spokesperson added: "We have already engaged with the UK government's Office for Investment to find a buyer for the site, and have had encouraging levels of interest.

"We are determined that the Mossmorran site and its dedicated workforce have the best possible chance of a successful future."