A union has expressed their “grave concerns” over efforts to preserve jobs at the Lindsey oil refinery.
Unite said they have been contacted by potential bidders for the refinery who are wanting to protect jobs, but they have complained about not being allowed to present their proposals.
The Insolvency Service said the sales process is being carried out “fairly and appropriately” and all bidders for the North Lincolnshire are going through the same process, they said that anyone suggesting to the contrary is “completely wrong.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Government’s commitment to preserve jobs and support the continuation of an oil refinery at Lindsey is ringing hollow.
“Potential buyers who want to run the whole site are telling Unite that they can’t even get in the door to have their bids considered.”
Energy minister Michael Shanks said: “Our thoughts are with the workers, their families and the community who have been badly let down by Prax, Lindsey oil refinery’s owners.
“The Official Receiver has made this independent decision now in order to provide employees with as much notice as possible, while concluding the sales process in the coming weeks. The majority of the workforce will be retained beyond the end of October and we remain hopeful that a solution will be found that supports jobs on the site long-term.
“The Official Receiver is independently assessing potential bids for the future of the refinery and its assets and has made clear he will continue to work with all bidders with credible and deliverable proposals.
“We have taken immediate action to fund a training guarantee for refinery workers to support them to find new, secure, long-term jobs, including in the growing clean energy workforce. Employees affected by redundancy will have the opportunity to enrol in this scheme from October.”
An Insolvency Service spokesperson said: “Every facet of the sales process for Prax Lindsey oil refinery is being carried out fairly and appropriately, with each bidder following the same process to acquire access to the same information.
“Any suggestion to the contrary is completely wrong.
“The Official Receiver is in ongoing discussions with a number of parties to progress bids with the objective of achieving a sale of the business.
“The Official Receiver remains committed to exploring the best possible outcome. To do so, each bid is being considered with care, due diligence and on an equal footing.”
