Westminster stands ready’ to work with Holyrood

Prime Minister Theresa May says her government will work with Scottish Government to secure best result

Prime Minister Theresa May has said the UK Government “stands ready” to work with the Scottish Government on a solution to Bifab’s current plight.

A total of 1,400 jobs are under threat at the firm’s yards in Fife, Lewis and elsewhere after management informed trade unions on Monday morning that the company is facing “critical” cash flow problems in connection with the Beatrice Project – a contract to fabricate 26 jacket foundations for Dutch contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting (SHL) for the 588Mw Beatrice windfarm in the Moray Firth.

Talks over a rescue package are ongoing and are expected to continue well into next week, with the Scottish Government pledging to do whatever it could to break an apparent impasse over “disputed payments” on Tuesday.

Mrs May told MPS at the House of Commons yesterday she had briefly discussed the situation with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier this week and said Westminster would work with Holyrood counterparts to tackle the issue.

“We stand ready to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that the best result can be achieved,” she said, in response to question from North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins during Prime Minister’s Questions.

Shadow Scottish secretary Lesley Laird, who is also MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, has consulted with the project manager of the Beatrice Project, held talks with unions and also met Greg Clark, secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy, yesterday.

She warned that “time is of the essence” to secure a deal capable of saving Bifab.

“There is now a very limited window of opportunity to strike a rescue deal,” she said.

“All key commercial stakeholders and including UK and Scottish Governments must agree a deal quickly if the work and plant capability at Bifab are to be secured.

“Only then can a longer-term plan be developed for Bifab.”

Many workers at the Burntisland and Methil yards have pledged to work for nothing over the coming days in the hope some sort of resolution can be found to support the workforce.

However, the threat of administration still looms large over the company unless the deadlock is broken.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said

on Tuesday that he has been involved in senior meetings with various parties this week, as has Paul Wheelhouse, the minister for business, innovation and energy.

“We are determined to fully explore all options to save the company – and the jobs that depend upon it – and the First Minister is closely engaged on the issues,” Mr Wheelhouse added.

“Ministers from both governments are engaged in discussions about how we can work together to achieve a successful outcome for the company and all the staff.

“We are very much aware that this will be a distressing time for the people employed at Bifab, as well as their families and the wider communities of Burntisland, Methil and Arnish, but I want to assure them that the Scottish Government is doing what we can to secure a positive resolution.

“We hope to be able to provide more clarity on the situation in the near future.”

csmith@thecourier.co.uk

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There is now a very limited window of opportunity to strike a rescue deal. LESLEY LAIRD MP

Norris Pictures: Tina Management at Bifab has told trade unions that the company is facing “critical” cash flow problems in connection with a contract with Dutch firm Seaway Heavy Lifting.