Longannet Task Force

The First Minister is being urged to set up a task force if Longannet does close.

Around 1, 000 direct and indirect jobs could be put at risk if the facility closes next March.

Fife Council leader David Ross has written to Nicola Sturgeon asking her to help.

Cllr Ross said: "Whilst Fife Council remains fully committed to the campaign to ensure continuation of power generation at the site and a migration to a clean fuel strategy, I believe we should now start urgent discussions about the development of a contingency plan for the economic regeneration of West Fife and East Central Scotland in the case of a closure of Longannet.

“That’s why I have today written to the First Minister asking the Scottish Government to join Fife Council in bringing together a Task Force to help protect the area as far as possible against the worst effects of a closure.

“The threat to Longannet needs a response similar to that provided by both Scottish and UK governments and the national agencies when the Hall’s of Broxburn plant was closed in 2013.”

Cllr Ross suggests this Task Force should be made up of senior figures from Scottish Government, Fife Council, Scottish Power and UK Government, and Department of Work and Pensions, together with the national agencies Scottish Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland. He has also written to neighbouring council leaders asking them to support this initiative.

Cllr Ross continued: “I have already written to the National Grid, Scottish Power, Offgem and the UK Government urging them to ensure the continued operation of Longannet until at least 2020. I have also met with Fergus Ewing MSP, Scottish Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism and am working closely with local representatives Thomas Docherty MP and Cara Hilton MSP to secure the future of the plant.

“However there is a very real threat that the site may close early in 2016 with a decision on its future expected any day now. Early closure will prevent us developing a longer term strategy for economic regeneration, which would have been possible if Scottish Power had been able to extend the life of Longannet until 2020, as originally intended.

“I believe it is therefore essential that a Task Force be brought together immediately to develop an effective response in the event of the closure of Longannet.”