Oil refinery workers 'desperate' to save site

Refinery workers rallied outside the refinery in North East Lincolnshire on Thursday

Workers have staged a rally outside an oil refinery in North Lincolnshire and renewed their call for the government to secure the future of the site.

Lindsey Oil Refinery in North Killingholme was taken over by liquidators in June after the owner Prax Group went into administration, putting 420 jobs at risk.

Speaking at the rally, control room operator Bradley Pexman said it would be "nothing short of a disaster" if the site closed.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said it was "working closely with unions to ensure workers are supported".

Earlier this month, Martin Vickers, MP for Brigg and Immingham, and North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham said there was a potential buyer to retain the site and continue running the refinery, but added they could not disclose details of the interested party.

Bradley Pexman said he found out the refinery was closing through the news

Mr Pexman, who started as an apprentice at the site seven years ago, said: "We are being dangled on the end of a line waiting for good news, hanging on to a little bit of hope that we've got.

"I saw my career being here at the refinery. We're expecting [a baby] in December this year, so it would be nice to have a job."

Sandra Friel, 65, is a vending operative at the refinery. She said her colleagues were "sad" and "desperate".

"They're all walking about with their heads down. There's no laughter on site any more," she added.

Sandra Friel said she felt "sad and mad" because the workers "don't get told anything"

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the oil refinery provided 10% of the UK's fuel supply and was crucial to the regional economy.

The refinery's owner went into administration after recording losses of about £75m over the course of three years.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson said: "The Official Receiver has welcomed bids since taking over safe running of the site six weeks ago, and will consider if any bids for a partial sale of the site or its assets are credible.

"We will also fund a Training Guarantee for refinery workers, to ensure they have the skills they need and are supported to find jobs in the growing clean energy workforce."

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