ExxonMobil confirmed the Mossmorran ethylene plant in Fife will close, with production ending after an imminent shutdown anticipated around February, risking 179 direct jobs and 250 contractor roles, though up to 50 staff could transfer to the Fawley complex in Hampshire.

Local MSP Annabelle Ewing urged urgent collaboration between ExxonMobil and the Scottish and UK governments to avert the closure and to outline support for affected workers and the community.

Ewing described the closure as a major jobs blow for her constituency and called for meetings with company and government leaders to explore alternatives.

Green and opposition leaders pressed for a transparent, plan-based response from both governments, including a Just Transition framework and preservation of industrial capacity amid concerns about local economic and social impacts.

Parliamentary discussions focused on the policy environment and potential government intervention, with ministers insisting the closure is a commercial decision despite ongoing support efforts.

North East Fife Lib Dem MSP Willie Rennie and Scottish Conservative economy spokesperson Murdo Fraser urged a concrete, proactive plan and criticized current approaches to industrial policy and fossil fuels.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes urged Westminster to consider additional measures for plant workers and to address high energy costs, noting that intervention levers lie with the UK Government.

Trade unions, including GMB, Unite, and others, called for a planned, measured transition and a robust industrial strategy to protect jobs and energy security, criticizing delays in delivering just transitions.

Local MPs voiced concern for contract workers and possible gaps in redundancy information, with Labour MP Melanie Ward highlighting questions over redundancy packages for long-serving staff.

Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell pushed for a worker-led Just Transition Plan for Mossmorran and urged the Scottish Government to publicly outline site plans and worker support, while calling on the UK Government to act to preserve jobs and skills.

The UK Government said it would assist affected workers via the DWP rapid response service and PACE, while stressing the commercial nature of the decision and noting prior engagement with ExxonMobil.

ExxonMobil cited an unfavourable UK economic and policy environment, high supply costs and plant inefficiency as factors making continued production non-viable after 40 years at Mossmorran.

Contextual coverage noted the nearby Grangemouth refinery closure earlier in the year, which had already affected hundreds of jobs and shaped government responses to protect the workforce.

Scottish officials described the decision as a significant blow to Scotland’s economy and announced a taskforce to explore worker and supplier support, while acknowledging most powers lie with the UK Government.

Scottish Conservative voices argued Scotland’s industrial capacity is being hollowed out by high taxes and policy choices, urging urgent action from both governments to mitigate the closure’s impact.