Overview
- ExxonMobil has announced plans to shut the Fife Ethylene Plant in February after four decades of operation, putting 179 staff and 250 contractor roles at risk.
- Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will visit the Mossmorran site on Tuesday with Scottish Enterprise chief executive Adrian Gillespie before convening a stakeholder summit.
- Invitations have gone to ExxonMobil, GMB, Unite, the UK Government, Fife Council, Fife College, the Scottish National Investment Bank and local MSPs.
- A political split has emerged over next steps, with UK Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander backing a Fife Council–led taskforce as the Scottish Government advances its own plan.
- ExxonMobil blames UK policy factors including licensing decisions plus windfall and emissions taxes for undermining competitiveness, while UK ministers say the plant is not viable and will not receive support.