**Summit Showdown: A Tug of War Over Mossmorran's Future**

In a bizarre twist amidst job loss anxiety, the Scottish and UK governments are at odds over the future of the Mossmorran chemical plant, which is facing imminent closure. Scottish Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has scheduled a summit with ExxonMobil on Tuesday, aiming to establish a taskforce to assist workers. This meeting comes as the plant, set for closure in February, threatens 179 direct jobs and impacts 250 contractors.

Concurrently, UK Secretary Douglas Alexander proposes a different approach, requesting Forbes to join a council-led taskforce with regional business leaders, aimed at adopting a coordinated response for workers impacted by the closure. The urgent need for collaboration is stressed due to ExxonMobil’s announcement of a near £1bn requirement to make the plant profitable, claiming it lacks a competitive future.

Both governments have committed to forming taskforces, yet UK ministers have made it clear they won’t provide funds to keep Mossmorran operational. Forbes emphasized exploring all options to support employment, stating, “Our immediate priority is to retain employment at the site and support the workforce through this period of uncertainty.”

The uncertainty continues as staff are informed of the impending closure with potential plans to transition 50 employees to another plant in Hampshire. This situation has caught many by surprise, highlighting the challenges of transitioning the workforce following the shutdown. Historically, while both governments have successfully collaborated on other projects such as the Grangemouth facility, their current responses reflect a disconnect and a lack of coordinated strategy. As the situation develops, the true measure of their commitment to a ’just transition’ for workers will be put to the test, with many jobs hanging in the balance.