First Minister grilled over missing Mossmorran transition plan

Opposition leaders have urged the Scottish Government to publish the just transition plan for Mossmorran – 18 months after ministers committed to developing one.

Both Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer raised the missing plan during first minister’s questions.

First Minister John Swinney did not provide an answer to when the plan would be published, but said it was “vital” to ensure a just transition for the area.

The exchange comes after ExxonMobil announced the closure of its Fife Ethylene Plant at the site.

Hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs at the plastics plan, with the expectation it will cease production in February.

Findlay said: “Hundreds of Scottish jobs are at risk, this time in Fife. Thousands have already been lost: Grangemouth, 400 jobs; Harbour Energy, 250; Hunting PLC, 200; Apache, 500; Petrofac, 2,000 – now Mossmorran, 400 more jobs.

“Scotland’s oil and gas industry is being destroyed before our eyes. The Labour and SNP governments are causing this to happen because it suits their net zero agenda. John Swinney’s government promised a Mossmorran transition plan 18 months ago – so where is it?”

Greer highlighted his party’s long-running campaign to have a plan put in place to ensure workers and the local economy could transition smoothly.

He said: “We all knew this was coming. For years the Scottish Greens called on the Scottish Government to develop a just transition plan for Mossmorran. In April 2024 the government agreed, promising that work would commence within months. That was 18 months ago… where is that transition plan?”

Swinney said the government, while aware ExxonMobil was exploring sale or potential closure in September, did not expect this week’s announcement.

He added: “The government will do everything we can to work to support the workforce at ExxonMobil about the challenges that are now faced as a consequence of the decision in connection with the Mossmorran plan.”

Findlay also warned of a “national emergency” facing the oil and gas industry more broadly, saying the government's “hostility” to it had contributed to its decline.

He pointed to analysis from the Fraser of Allander Institute, published today, which warned accelerated decline of the sector could see the UK lose £13bn, adding:  “Unless Labour and the SNP change course, Scotland’s world-leading oil and gas sector will be wiped out entirely, never to return.”

The first minister insisted it was “vital we take forward measures to ensure a just transition”, going on to highlight government moves including training funds and skills hubs.

He added: “The government will take forward sustained support to assist in the management of the transition, which I recognise to be a significant threat to companies and to employees. But the Scottish Government will do all that we can to support workers.

“I appeal to the United Kingdom Government to take some sympathetic policies decisions that will help in that respect as well.”

On announcing the planned closure of the site, a spokesperson for ExxonMobil said it lacked a “competitive future” due to a combination of the economic and policy landscape of the UK and “ market conditions, high supply costs and plant efficiency”.