The government has limited time to ensure the future of the Lindsey oil refinery, in North Lincolnshire, is secured, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

Unite, which represents workers at the complex, said ministers must move quickly if the hundreds of jobs it supports directly and indirectly in communities across Lincolnshire are to be protected and oil supplies secured.

Since the administration was announced on 30 June, 200 tanker drivers in the supply chain have been told they will lose their jobs. It is crucial that no more jobs are lost either at Lindsey Refinery or from the supply chain of this critical piece of UK infrastructure.

Time is of the essence

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Time is of the essence to ensure the future of the site is secured and workers are fully protected. 

“Ministers have taken steps to get across the situation after the administration of the refinery, which is critical national infrastructure, was announced. But the long term future of Lindsey which supports hundreds of jobs needs to be delivered in days not weeks.

“This should also be a reminder for the government that it needs a sustainable long-term plan to fully protect all oil and gas workers. Its current policies are putting the industry on a cliff edge and needlessly risking thousands of jobs.”

ENDS