Mossmorran taskforce to meet as plant faces closure next month

A new taskforce will meet to coordinate support after ExxonMobil announced the Fife ethylene plant will close next month, putting more than 400 jobs at risk. The Scottish government has allocated £9m over three years to help staff and local communities.

The Mossmorran taskforce will meet for the first time later to coordinate support after ExxonMobil announced the Fife ethylene plant will close next month. The company said the plant was no longer economically viable and that it had been unable to find a buyer. More than 400 jobs are reported to be at risk. The Scottish government has set aside £9m over three years to help staff and affected communities. Known details: - ExxonMobil announced the Fife Ethylene Plant will close next month and said it could not sell the facility. - More than 400 jobs are reported to be at risk because of the planned closure. - A taskforce led by Fife Council will meet for the first time, and Business Minister Richard Lochhead is expected to attend. - The Scottish government has allocated £9m over three years for support, and the UK government said it will not intervene to keep the plant open but pledged support for the workforce. Summary: The announced closure puts hundreds of jobs and local services under strain and has prompted government funding and the creation of a taskforce. The taskforce's first meeting is the immediate next step and will bring together Scottish and UK government representatives, Fife Council and unions to discuss support and possible options for the site.