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The Scottish Government says discussions over the future of the Arnish yard are “in progress” following fears that the operator intends to file for administration.

BiFab - which is partly owned by energy giant SSE - operates the Arnish yard as well as two sites in Fife.

The company is believed to be facing potential administration.

BiFab is involved in ongoing dialogue ongoing with clients and hopes to formulate a rescue plan.

Work in its three yards are carrying on as usual.

Economy secretary Keith Brown highlighted the government is trying to get “all the partners together to do a deal to ensure BiFab continues” to trade.

Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan said it is a “shock” that there are fears BiFab are in talks about administration.

“The Arnish yard is renowned of the quality of what it makes and the quality of the workforce.

“These are good jobs - important jobs to the island and it certainly causes me great concern.

Mr Allan said he wants to speak to government ministers, including Keith Brown about the situation.

He will also explore what support HIE can provide for Arnish personnel.

“More than anything I want to be clear what can be done to get information out of the company about what their intentions are,” he stressed.

If administration does happen the impact to the islands’ economy would be the “equivalent of putting hundreds of jobs in Glasgow under threat so we need the company to provide information to the workforce,” said the MSP.

Some 440 workers at BiFab’s yards in Burntisland, Methil and Stornoway are members of the GMB union.

But GMB Scotland said it was kept in the dark.

The union is hold an emergency meeting with members in Methil on Monday.

GMB Scotland Secretary Gary Smith said the union is “absolutely furious” that the company failed to tell the workforce what was happening.

He expressed “anger” that workers were kept in the dark that the firm was in financial trouble.

The GMB is seeking “urgent answers” about why BiFab is in this position just one year after securing a major contract.

Mr Smith said: “We need answers from BiFab and also from the Scottish and UK governments how we got into this mess and who knew what and when.”

 

 

 

 

BiFab under pressure to reveal extent of financial troubles  

12 Nov 2017