UK and Scottish Governments Set Rival Mossmorran Summits Amid Plant Closure
Tensions rise as Edinburgh and Westminster convene separate meetings to address ExxonMobil’s Fife ethylene plant shutdown
The Scottish and UK governments have each announced distinct summits in response to the planned closure of ExxonMobil’s Fife Ethylene Plant at Mossmorran, signalling diverging strategies on how to support the workforce and local economy.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes is scheduled to meet with company executives and stakeholders on Tuesday alongside Scottish Enterprise, whereas UK Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander has called for her attendance at a Fife Council-led business summit on Monday under a unified “Team Scotland” approach.
ExxonMobil announced that production at the Mossmorran facility will cease in February 2026, affecting approximately 179 direct employees and 250 contractors, with only around 50 offered transfers to the company’s Fawley site in Hampshire.
The company cited a challenging policy and economic environment, high costs and lack of a viable buyer for the plant as key reasons for its decision.
Forbes emphasised her priority on retaining employment and supporting the workforce during this uncertain period.
“Our immediate priority is to explore ways to retain employment at the site and support the workforce through this period of uncertainty,” she said.
Alexander, however, urged coordination under the council-led taskforce and warned that fragmentation of efforts would undermine support for local communities.
The contrasting timings and formats of the meetings have drawn attention to the underlying friction between devolved and national governance.
While both governments have pledged assistance for affected workers, analysts note that meaningful industrial intervention will likely depend on shared strategy and pooled resources.
The closure of the Mossmorran plant follows the earlier shutdown of the Grangemouth refinery and contributes to concerns over the future of Scotland’s petrochemical cluster.
The task ahead will test how well ministers across jurisdictions can synchronise efforts to deliver a just transition for Fife’s industrial workforce.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes is scheduled to meet with company executives and stakeholders on Tuesday alongside Scottish Enterprise, whereas UK Secretary of State for Scotland Douglas Alexander has called for her attendance at a Fife Council-led business summit on Monday under a unified “Team Scotland” approach.
ExxonMobil announced that production at the Mossmorran facility will cease in February 2026, affecting approximately 179 direct employees and 250 contractors, with only around 50 offered transfers to the company’s Fawley site in Hampshire.
The company cited a challenging policy and economic environment, high costs and lack of a viable buyer for the plant as key reasons for its decision.
Forbes emphasised her priority on retaining employment and supporting the workforce during this uncertain period.
“Our immediate priority is to explore ways to retain employment at the site and support the workforce through this period of uncertainty,” she said.
Alexander, however, urged coordination under the council-led taskforce and warned that fragmentation of efforts would undermine support for local communities.
The contrasting timings and formats of the meetings have drawn attention to the underlying friction between devolved and national governance.
While both governments have pledged assistance for affected workers, analysts note that meaningful industrial intervention will likely depend on shared strategy and pooled resources.
The closure of the Mossmorran plant follows the earlier shutdown of the Grangemouth refinery and contributes to concerns over the future of Scotland’s petrochemical cluster.
The task ahead will test how well ministers across jurisdictions can synchronise efforts to deliver a just transition for Fife’s industrial workforce.
