Businesses hit by the closure of Longannet power station have outlined the scale of the impact on their companies.
Representatives from more than 40 firms and unions met Longannet taskforce members to suggest ways to mitigate the effects of the closure of the Fife coal-fired power station early next year.
The outcome of the meeting, held in Dunfermline, will help shape the Longannet taskforce’s economic recovery plan.
Business minister Fergus Ewing, who chaired the meeting, said: “The closure of Longannet next March has significant implications for the local and national economy and we are doing everything possible to support the many affected businesses.
“A key part of the taskforce’s economic recovery plan is to mitigate the effects on the supply chain.
“All of the businesses attending face a loss of income and today was a chance to hear more about the specific impacts the closure will have.
“In addition, it was an opportunity for public sector bodies to set out the types of support available to help with skills, training and business development.”
Mr Ewing said the meeting was only the start of a process of continuing engagement with the business community.
“The range of constructive suggestions made today on what can be done will help shape the response of the taskforce to meet the needs of those businesses adversely affected by the closure of Longannet.”
The meeting comes only a week after the taskforce met for the first time to plan the way ahead following ScottishPower’s announcement the Forth-side station near Kincardine would shut, with the loss of 236 direct jobs.
On top of that, the plant supports hundreds more jobs in sub-contracting work and in the supply chain.
The Longannet taskforce’s remit is to bring together key partners to coordinate the development of a joint, multi-agency plan to mitigate the economic impacts of the power station’s closure.