WIREDGOV

The first meeting of the Fife Taskforce took place yesterday following the announcement that Tullis Russell in Markinch has gone into administration with the loss of 325 jobs.

The Deputy First Minister John Swinney, along with Fife Council Leader David Ross, will co-chair the group bringing together key public and private bodies, workforce representatives and local politicians to mitigate the impact of the decision.

The local constituency MSP, Tricia Marwick, will attend and political parties with Fife-based MSPs are also represented. Following the UK General Election, the constituency MP will also be invited to join the Taskforce.

The membership includes:

• Deputy First Minister John Swinney – Co-Chair
• Councillor David Ross, Leader Fife Council – Co-Chair
• Steve Grimmond, Chief Executive Fife Council
• Representatives from Tullis Russell
• Representatives from KPMG
• Employee representatives
• Representative from Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International
• Representative from Skills Development Scotland PACE
• Representative from JobCentrePlus
• Representative from Fife Economy Partnership
• Representative from Fife Chamber of Commerce
• Representative from Unite
• Constituency MSP Tricia Marwick
• Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser
• Labour MSP Alex Rowley
• Liberal Democrat Councillor Tony Martin

Speaking ahead of the first meeting the Deputy First Minister said:

“My first thoughts on hearing this news were of course with the employees, their families and the local community affected by this decision. What’s important now is that we act quickly, bringing together all interested parties, to map out a plan for the local economy and help workers to find employment as soon as possible.

“This afternoon I will co-chair, along with David Ross of Fife Council, a Taskforce involving key organisations and individuals to focus on supporting economic growth and employment across the area and help mitigate the impact of this closure.

“I want to be very clear - this government is committed to doing all it can to support the company, the workforce and the local community at this challenging time. We will leave no stone unturned and that is why we are focusing all efforts, including those of Fife Council, on identifying a buyer, securing a future for the Glenrothes site, and supporting employees.

“Earlier this week I announced an initial £6 million of financial support for the Taskforce to be used to help fund retraining for the workforce at the Markinch plant. And yesterday Business Minister Fergus Ewing was in Fife and announced a PACE event for employees to take place next week involving a mix of around 20 support agencies, training providers, and employers who are interested in recruiting.

“There is work to be done and opportunity to be created - the Taskforce will now decide on an immediate plan of action to support workers and use the £6 million we have provided to support the local community and the wider Fife economy.”

Fife Council Leader David Ross commented:

“The Taskforce meeting today will bring together a range of partners and experts all with the same aim – to do everything in our power to help those people who have lost their jobs this week.

“Fife is a strong community and I know people locally will be supporting each other through these tough times. I want to give a personal reassurance that we are committed to working quickly and effectively to lessen the impact of these job losses and get people back to work, or provide them with the skills, qualifications, training and support they need to move into other employment.”

The Taskforce will:

• Work with the administrators to continue the work that has been undertaken over the last months to secure an alternative owner for the business;
• Provide support and advice for the individuals employed at the site, maximising each individual’s opportunity to secure alternative employment;
• Provide support to the communities impacted by the closure; and
• Support economic growth and employment creation across Fife, with particular focus on Glenrothes and Central Fife, to help mitigate the effects of the closure and ensure that the appropriate support is in place to contribute to future sustainable growth.

Notes To Editors