Mossmorran closure: call for united approach to support workforce and make plans for site
A call has been made for Scottish and UK Government unity over the future of the Mossmorran site.
It came from Melanie Ward MP in an address to the House of Commons in front of the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and a full Cabinet.
Ms Ward's intervention follows the UK Government's pledge of up to £9 million to support workers and communities affected by the closure of ExxonMobil's Fife Ethylene Plant, which ceased operations in February, bring to an end 40 years of production. Around 400 jobs were affected by the decision, many of them local.
The Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcady argued that it is firmly “in the interest of the people of Fife” for the Scottish Government and UK Government, civil society and others to work together to utilise all available funding and find a viable future for the site that delivers good, secure jobs for local people.
Since the closure announcement, a the Fife Council-led Mossmorran Taskforce has met twice, with the Scottish Government agreeing to cover £1.3million re-training costs for workers via Fife College, and the UK Government weighing in with its funding.
Senior figures from both Governments have also attended meetings and been involved in the work going on to support the workforce and look at alternative uses for the vast site.
In the Commons, Ms Ward said: “The ExxonMobil plant at Mossmorran has now ceased production after the company said last year that it has not made a profit for five years. News that our UK Labour Government has made £9 million has made £9 million available to support the affected workforce, and find a future for the site, has been warmly welcomed by my constituents, especially in Cowdenbeath.
“It is in the interests of the people of Fife for the Scottish and UK Government to work together, to utilise all available funding, and find a viable future that brings jobs back to the site.”
In response Scotland Secretary, Douglas Alexander MP said Ms Ward has been a “powerful and consistent advocate for the workforce and for the investment.
He added: I’’m proud that the UK Government has been actively marketing the site to potential investors and stands ready to invest up to £9 million to secure a successful future for the site and to support the local economy."