Greens call for UK Government commitment of financial support for Mossmorran
The early closure of EXXON Mobil’s Mossmorran site this week shows an urgent need for the UK Government to commit to providing financial support for workers and the local community, say the Scottish Greens.
The planned closure of the site was intended to be 16th February, but operations ended on Monday - two weeks earlier than expected - giving workers at risk of losing their jobs less notice than agreed upon.
While the Scottish Government has committed to a £9million package over three years to support the transition of the site, it is unclear what this means for workers and the community. Meanwhile, the UK Government has not yet made any commitment to supporting those impacted by the site closure.
Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell has written a letter to both Scottish and UK Governments urging them to offer a combined package of financial support, to ensure that those affected by the closure are supported to find alternative employment, and that the site will be effectively managed through a transition, with a clear understanding of the impact this will have on the community if mismanaged.
Mark said:
“The term just transition is thrown around often with very little understanding of what that truly means. What we are seeing already with the early closure of Mossmorran is a clear example of how not to carry out a just transition.
“This has not been a shock closure or quick decision. The closure of Mossmorran has been on the radar of both Governments for too long without plans being made for what the closure will look like.
“At this very point in time, workers, their families and the local community are being left in the dark over whether help is on the way to ensure that they do not become another community destroyed by a mismanaged industrial decline.
“I have written to both ours and the UK Government demanding that they commit to a clear and easy to implement package of financial support for Mossmorran. I appreciate the Scottish Government has offered financial support, but clarification on how that will work is needed. More crucially though, the UK Government has failed to offer any action other than warm words at this stage when those facing job losses need it most.
“Warm words from governments won’t keep the lights on in people’s homes. Warm words won’t fill the plates of worker’s children. That’s why the Scottish Greens want to see clear commitments made that help manage the site’s transition and pledges from both Governments to help those who lose their jobs find work that suits their skill set.”
Text of letter sent to Scottish and UK Governments from Mark Ruskell MSP
Dear Mr Lochhead and Mr McDonald,
Funding for a just transition for Mossmorran
At last week’s Mossmorran taskforce meeting, we spoke at length about the urgency of securing a fair and just transition for the workers and communities affected by the closure of EXXON Mobil’s Ethylene plant.
As you will be aware, EXXON Mobil announced on Monday (2nd February) that the site is no longer operational, two weeks ahead of the planned closure date of the 16th February.
I have repeatedly called on both the UK and Scottish Government to work together to invest in a just transition for the workers and communities at Mossmorran – and with Monday's announcement of an early closure, this could not be more urgent.
These communities have experienced unmanaged industrial decline before. We cannot let this happen again. They deserve a fair and just transition that creates a proper legacy for the site and its surrounding communities.
The Scottish Government’s announcement of £9 million over three-years to support the site’s transition is of course welcome, but how this funding will be delivered is still unclear. The UK Government’s stated intention to provide support is welcome, however the site has now closed without a firm financial commitment from the UK Government to a targeted just transition fund for Mossmorran.
Now the plant is officially closed ahead of the proposed schedule, workers at the site and the local community deserve clarity on how both the Scottish Government and UK Government will work together to invest in a fair and just transition for the site.
Therefore, I would appreciate an urgent update on the following questions:
The timeline for delivery of the Scottish Government’s just transition funding for Mossmorran, clarity on who will manage the fund, and any conditionality placed on public grants – such as a requirement for union recognition; and a job interview guarantee scheme (as used at Grangemouth) for workers facing redundancy from Mossmorran;
Whether the UK Government will contribute funding to the just transition fund announced by the Scottish Government, to boost the amount of investment available for the site;
If not, what further targeted investment is the UK Government planning to provide for the workers and communities impacted by the closure of the site and when does the UK Government intend to deliver this funding;
And how the Scottish and UK Governments will engage meaningfully with community partners around investment opportunities for the site.
Workers and the local community have been waiting far too long for both Governments to come up with a plan for a sustainable future for Mossmorran, they deserve clarity at this critical point.
Kind regards,
Mark Ruskell MSP
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife