![\"Fife](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Fife-Ethylene-Plant-STV-vid.png\")
Deputy First minister Kate Forbes is offering a \u00a39 million package of support to workers being made redundant the Mossmorran ethylene plant.<\/p>\n
ExxonMobil announced it would be shutting the 40-year-old Fife facility next month, affecting 400 workers.<\/p>\n
It said it had tested the market for a potential buyer, \u201cbut the UK\u2019s current economic and policy environment combined with market conditions, high supply costs and plant efficiency do not create a competitive future for the site.\u201d<\/p>\n
UK government critics said it was another warning to Labour ministers that the transition to green energy jobs was not moving quickly enough, combined with a lack of support for the oil & gas sector.<\/p>\n
The Scottish government has made attempts to save the plant but is now resigned to finding alternative employment opportunities.<\/p>\n
A taskforce led by Fife Council meets for the first time today and will be attended by Business and Employment Minister Richard Lochhead.<\/p>\n
Ms Forbes said: \u201cThis is a worrying time for the workforce at Mossmorran and they rightly expect urgent action. I met worker representatives earlier this month to assure them that we are doing all we can to support them and the wider community. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have allocated \u00a39 million over three years in our draft Budget to help staff and communities affected by the plant\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s meeting is an opportunity to engage with the UK Government, Fife Council, unions and local partners to agree how we best support individuals impacted by ExxonMobil\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the meantime, our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment initiative is providing skills and employability support for workers.\u201d<\/p>\n
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