Action Needed To Soften Longannet Closure Blow

'Concerted action' is needed to protect businesses in the area surrounding Longannet power station.

It's closure in March next year has put hundreds of jobs at risk. Fife Chamber of Commerce say companies in the vicinity of the Fife plant will also lose out.

A task force is meeting next week to address employment problems.

Eric Byiers, the chief executive of Fife CoC, said: "The closure of the Longannet Power Station may have been anticipated for some time but the announcement still comes as a huge blow to the workforce, the local community, and the Fife economy as a whole. 

"Coming on the back of earlier closures and major job losses in Fife, this underlines the need for concerted action to help the local business community – in the short and longer term.
 
"The first, and most important, priority must be the future of the 236 people directly employed, the contractors working at Longannet itself and those in businesses dependent on the operation of the power station. But early support is also needed for businesses in the area around the power station which will be directly affected by the closure and the loss of local spending.
 
"The announcement of the establishment of a “task force” to address these immediate problems is to be welcomed. A similar group was established after the Tullis Russell closure announcement and its work is continuing, with many local businesses playing a critical part in tackling the situation by offering alternative employment to those who lost their jobs. Hopefully these two initiatives can be coordinated to support a long-term development programme of investment and support for the whole Fife economy – taking advantage of opportunities in manufacturing, construction and all other sectors of the economy."