Fife politicians give their reaction to BiFab administration
Neale Hanvey, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, said the news was another blow for the Fife yards.
He said: “Unfortunately, the news was always likely to get worse before it got better, but this is clearly another blow for the BiFab yards and the communities I represent.
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Hide Ad“Nevertheless, my position remains unchanged. The first step to saving the BiFab yards in Burntisland and Methil is to remove the Canadian owners, JV Driver, who have been unwilling to back up their words with investment.
"That’s why – even if the law allowed – it wouldn’t have been wise for the Scottish Government to invest more taxpayers’ money into BiFab.
“This is a really difficult time for the BiFab yards, but I’m confident things will get better. The political will is there. Plans are afoot. Fife will realise its potential as the beating heart of Scotland’s renewables industry.”
Fife MSP Claire Baker said: “This news is a devastating blow to the skilled and committed workforce who have been let down by a Government that made promises of a secure future they could not deliver.
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Hide Ad“The move is a consequence of the Scottish Government’s decision to remove contract assurances and the failure of the Scottish and UK Governments to work with the company and trade unions to secure the future of the yards.
“For years the Scottish Government has promised green jobs which have failed to materialise and it is our local communities facing the consequences. The Scottish Government now has a responsibility to ensure it explores every option to rescue jobs for these workers and it must act fast.”
Kirkcaldy MSP David Torrance, whose constituency contains two of BiFab’s yards, raised the issue during First Minister’s Questions.
He said: “I asked the First Minister what support the Scottish Government will give to the BiFab workforce and any parties interested in investing in the yards following this morning’s news.
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Hide Ad"I was pleased to hear the assurances and commitment from the Scottish Government that they will continue in their efforts to do everything possible to support a positive future for company, stating: We have worked hard in the past to avoid the closure of BiFab. That has included significant investment in equity and loan facilities on the part of the Government. We are a minority shareholder in BiFab, and we will continue to work even now to secure its future. However, as with any Government, we must do that within the law. If there was any more that we could have done within the law to avert what has happened today, we would have done it.
"We were not able legally to provide the additional support that BiFab was seeking. Had the majority shareholder been prepared to invest, it might have been different. We will now work with administrators, trade unions and others to try to secure a positive future for BiFab.”
He added: “My thoughts are with every worker and their families at this difficult time, and give them my guarantee that I will continue to fight on their behalf for the future of BiFab.”