Council Leader urges Government to back workers after Prax site closure
Cllr Waltham has met with union reps, Government officials and local MP Martin Vickers
North Lincolnshire Council leader Cllr Rob Waltham is calling for urgent Government action to support workers and secure new jobs, following confirmation that a buyer couldn’t be found for the Prax site.
He says the closure is a devastating blow for hundreds of families and has criticised the process for failing to give enough time to find a serious investor.
Cllr Waltham has met with union reps, Government officials and local MP Martin Vickers, and confirmed the council now has a commitment from ministers to work jointly on the site’s future and provide direct support to affected workers.
He says potential investors are still showing interest in parts of the facility - and wants ministers to act now to help protect and grow new job opportunities.
"devastating news"
“This is devastating news for the workers and families affected.” said Cllr Waltham.
“Generations of local people have built their lives around this site.
"They have shown loyalty, commitment and hard work - but they have been badly let down, both by the business and by a Government process that failed to give enough time to find a serious buyer.
“This cannot be the end of the road for this site.
There are businesses still interested – and with the right backing, we can create new employment, new investment, and a new future for this community. But that requires Government action now.
“The closure of this site is not just a blow to North Lincolnshire – it raises bigger questions about the UK’s long-term fuel resilience.
"I am told by Government this is not a concern, but I remain sceptical. These are questions ministers must answer.”
The council says it’s working with training providers and local agencies to help workers find new roles and is pressing for urgent investment to avoid the site being left idle.
"immediately fund a comprehensive Training Guarantee"
In response to previous concerns, Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:
“We are deeply disappointed with the untenable position in which the owners left Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery.
“As a result, after a thorough process to determine whether a sale was possible, no credible offers have been made to purchase the entire refinery and it will be winding down operations, while the Official Receiver continues to pursue interest in individual assets.
“Our sympathies are with the workers, their families and the local community. While we continue to strongly encourage the owners to do the decent thing and publicly commit to making a voluntary financial contribution to support workers, all those directly employed at the refinery are guaranteed jobs over the coming months.
“The government will immediately fund a comprehensive Training Guarantee for these refinery workers to ensure they have the skills they need and are supported to find jobs in the growing clean energy workforce.”