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Forbes Sets Summit on Mossmorran Closure as UK Rules Out Rescue

Unions are demanding firm guarantees for threatened jobs after ExxonMobil set a February shutdown date.

Overview

  • Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will visit the Mossmorran site on Tuesday before hosting a multi‑party summit to discuss support for workers and options for the plant’s future.
  • Invites went to ExxonMobil, GMB and Unite unions, Scottish Enterprise, the UK Government, Fife Council, Fife College, the Scottish National Investment Bank and local MSPs.
  • ExxonMobil plans to close the Fife Ethylene Plant in February after failing to secure a sale, saying the site is not competitive in the current economic and policy environment.
  • About 179 direct staff and roughly 250 contractor roles are reported at risk as unions press for urgent, concrete measures to protect jobs and skills.
  • UK ministers say there will be no bailout, with Keir Starmer citing losses of about £1m a week, while Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander backs a council‑led taskforce in a growing dispute over who should lead the response.