Growing Fife Economy

A taskforce, set up after Tullis Russell announced it had gone into administration, is aiming to find a new owner.

Members have confirmed they're also looking for a new use for the site in Markinch.

£100, 000 is also being made available immediately to help the 325 papermill workers who were made redundant last month.

Speaking after the meeting at Fife Council HQ, the Taskforce Co-Chairs Deputy First Minister John Swinney and Fife Council Leader David Ross said:

“At the meeting, the Taskforce members agreed the action plan which will bring together key partners to support economic growth and employment creation, with particular focus on Glenrothes and Central Fife. With new ownership of the Tullis Russell site a major challenge to achieve, work is underway to establish further opportunities for the site. We want to help mitigate effects of potential job losses and put in place support for a sustainable future for the area.

"Recognising the need to act quickly, the Task Force agreed to make available £100,000 to respond to people's immediate training needs and earmark a further £500,000 for skills development and training in the short term.

“The plan takes into account the immediate, short and medium to longer term actions some of which we have already delivered on and had success. At the start of this month colleagues from Skills Development Scotland arranged for a Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) event to be held in Glenrothes and brought together 45 exhibitors including 25 employers. More than 360 attended the event and took the opportunity to meet face-to-face with employers and a range of PACE partners to discuss their needs and choices for their future career.

"Our agreed plan includes actions that help to:

• Find a new owner for Tullis Russell or a new use for the site;

• Support the workforce – through PACE redundancy support and responding to the immediate needs being identified;

• Deliver a range of additional and targeted training support;

• Provide a range of business support to help supply chain companies, the economy diversify and be resilient and future business growth;

• Develop business infrastructure to ensure provision of appropriate accommodation and facilities;

• Intensified support to existing companies grow through investment, innovation and internationalisation

• Support the communities affected; and

• Commit to developing a structured growth plan, identifying how to address connectivity challenges and support the regeneration of industrial estates.

“We want to be very clear that this Taskforce is committed to doing all it can to support everyone during this challenging time.”