CRITICS have slammed Ed Miliband’s net zero policies for pushing Britain’s oil industry to the brink after Lindsey Oil Refinery collapsed into insolvency.
State Oil, which owns Prax Group and Lindsey refinery in North Lincolnshire, appointed administrators on Monday, with a winding-up order also issued against the refinery and related businesses.
More than 180 people work for State Oil, while Lindsey employs around 440 staff.
The site, built in 1968, processes 113,000 barrels of oil a day and is one of just five major refineries left in the UK after Scotland’s Grangemouth refinery shut down weeks ago.
Industry insiders say Miliband’s push to ban new North Sea oil licences has left the UK increasingly reliant on imported fuel, as renewables fail to meet demand.
Imported fuel doesn’t require refining, leaving Britain’s refineries struggling to survive.
Trade union Unite has demanded urgent government action to protect workers and fuel supplies, warning that the collapse leaves the UK on a “cliff edge.”
General secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has constantly warned the Government that its policies have placed the oil and gas industry on a cliff edge.
“It has failed to act and instead put its fingers in its ears.
“The Government needs a short-term strategy to keep Lindsey operating and a sustainable long-term plan to fully protect all oil and gas workers.”
However, Energy Minister Michael Shanks called the collapse “deeply concerning” and pledged to investigate the directors’ conduct.
He said: “There have been longstanding issues with this company and workers have been badly let down.”
Miliband is reportedly considering electricity bill discounts for refineries to boost production.
Prax, led by Sanjeev Kumar Soosaipillai, bought Lindsey from TotalEnergies in 2021 for around $168million,
Teneo’s joint administrators confirmed that Lindsey staff are still employed and receiving their wages.
Administrators said they are looking at all options, including selling Prax Group’s upstream business and petrol stations, which remain unaffected by the insolvency.
Ed Miliband’s net zero policies have been slammed for pushing Britain’s oil industry to the brink after Lindsey Oil Refinery collapsed into insolvency[/caption]
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