FMQs: SNP agrees to Green calls for Mossmorran worker support
The First Minister has agreed to Green proposals for a jobs fund for Mossmorran and that it be conditioned on businesses in receipt of the money guaranteeing a job interview to workers made redundant by the Exxon plant’s closure.
In his response the First Minister agreed to Ross’s call, saying: “The scheme and approach and condition that we’ve put in place in Grangemouth, we will put in place in Mossmorran.”
The fund already set up to create new job opportunities for former workers of the Ineos site at Grangemouth includes a job interview guarantee.
Greens co-leader Ross Greer had called for such a support package at Mossmorran two weeks ago, but the First Minister and his spokesperson made contradictory statements about whether it would be launched.
The SNP first committed to developing a ‘just transition plan’ for Mossmorran 18 months ago, following pressure from the Scottish Greens.
However a Freedom of Information request submitted by the Greens showed no sign of that work having been done. It returned only a single document from that period - a speech given by a Minister in response to a debate organised by Fife’s Green MSP, Mark Ruskell.
In his first question to the FM, Ross said:
“A month ago today Exxon announced that they were closing their Mossmorran site in Fife.
“Over 400 workers are looking at imminent redundancy. I’ve repeatedly asked the First Minister for the just transition plan for Mossmorran which the Scottish Government promised to develop 18 months ago.
“Freedom of information requests submitted by the Scottish Greens returned only a single document from that period - a speech given by a Minister in response to a debate organised by Fife’s Green MSP, Mark Ruskell
“That was before that commitment was even made. It is absolutely clear no work was done.
“So, 18 months on from the Scottish Government saying they would come up with a plan - and a month after Exxon announced the site’s closure - these workers are going into Christmas knowing they will lose their jobs in the new year.
“Mossmorran’s workers need jobs to go into. The community needs a proper legacy from the Exxon site. Is the First Minister now ready to tell them how he will fulfil the promise his government made?”
In his second question Ross said:
“The First Minister says that the government is going to learn from the experience of Grangemouth. That would have been absolutely fine months ago, but these workers are going to lose their jobs in a few weeks, and the government has not come up with the plan it said it would 18 months ago.
“Yesterday Unite the union said that there have been a lot of kind words and soundbites from both the UK and Scottish Governments. But the union hasn’t seen any real tangible evidence of any practical support or financial support
“Fossil fuel giants like Exxon are all too happy to profit from Scotland’s resources and workers, but when the money runs out, they’re out of here. We’ve seen this countless times before.
“Last time I asked this question, there was some confusion on the answer. But I’m hopeful the First Minister can make a clear commitment today.
“Will his Government finally commit to dedicated funding for Mossmorran and make it a condition of receiving that funding that any business must guarantee job interviews to anyone who has lost their job at Mossmorran?”
It was in his response to this question that the First Minister appeared to agree to the call.