BiFab: Nicola Sturgeon says Scottish Government “will leave no stone unturned” in bid to save company

A lifeline deal which would have brought jobs to the yards in Methil and Burntisland collapsed last week, sparking concerns for the future of the firm.

The Scottish Government, which became a minority shareholder in BiFab in 2017 after investing in the company, has come under fire since then for its role in the deal collapsing.

When questioned by Fife MSP Claire Baker at today’s First Minister’s Questions, Ms Sturgeon said: “We will continue to do all we can to support the business while recognising the need for us to remain in line with the state aid regulations and overall financial constraints.

“We will leave no stone unturned. We have invested significantly. We are a significant shareholder in BiFab. It would make no sense for the government, let alone the workers in the wider community, for us to simply allow BiFab to go to the wall.

“If there is a way for us to avoid that happening, we will explore every option to save BiFab.”

Ms Baker said Fifers could not understand why the Scottish Government had withdrawn its support.

She added: “500 jobs in Fife rely on this contract and a workforce who marched on this parliament three years ago deserve a straight answer and a future.”