UK Experiences a Decline in Refinery Numbers
The Lindsey Oil Refinery in England, previously owned by Total, has entered insolvency and liquidation as of July 2025 under its new owner, the insolvent British oil company Prax Group [1][2][3]. The refinery is currently being managed by the Official Receiver and Special Managers appointed by the court, who are tasked with securing the site, maintaining fuel supplies, and seeking potential buyers or solutions to preserve employment at the site.
The government has stepped in to support the refinery workers, guaranteeing their jobs and pay for the coming months and introducing a comprehensive Training Guarantee to help workers transition to new roles, including in clean energy sectors [1]. Despite this support, the Official Receiver has concluded that selling the refinery as a whole is not a credible option, although they are still exploring proposals for individual assets and future employment opportunities [1].
The Unite union has been actively advocating for the workers and potential state intervention. They have pressed for government-backed action to protect jobs and ensure the refinery's future. Reports indicate that the union supports the government’s urgent steps, including calls for investigations into the circumstances of the insolvency and urging the former owners, Total, to provide financial backing to the workforce [1][4].
The closure of the Lindsey refinery could result in additional job losses in the region, as well as have wider implications for the British oil industry. This development is advancing the deindustrialization of Britain, with the Lindsey refinery being the only remaining refinery in England. The only other Scottish refinery, Grangemouth, has already closed [5].
In summary, the Lindsey Oil Refinery is in a challenging transition phase, with state involvement focused on managing fallout and searching for viable future prospects, while the Unite union is actively engaged in defending the workforce's interests through this process.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025). Lindsey Oil Refinery goes into administration. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57405349 [2] Sky News. (2025). Lindsey Oil Refinery enters administration. Retrieved from https://news.sky.com/story/lindsey-oil-refinery-enters-administration-12480764 [3] The Guardian. (2025). Lindsey Oil Refinery goes into administration. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/01/lindsey-oil-refinery-goes-into-administration [4] Unite the Union. (2025). Lindsey Oil Refinery: Unite calls on government to act to save jobs. Retrieved from https://unitetheunion.org/news/lindsey-oil-refinery-unite-calls-on-government-to-act-to-save-jobs/ [5] The Scotsman. (2024). Grangemouth oil refinery closes. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/grangemouth-oil-refinery-closes-3070052
- In light of the Lindsey Oil Refinery's challenging transition, the British government is considering financing careers in the clean energy sector for the refinery workers, as part of their efforts to support the industry and mitigate potential job losses in the oil-and-gas business.
- The closure of the Lindsey Oil Refinery, the last operational refinery in England, may have a ripple effect on the finance, business, and energy industries, with concerns about the deindustrialization of Britain and potential future job losses in the region.
- Unite union is advocating for the preservation of jobs and continued operations at the Lindsey Oil Refinery, pushing for Government intervention while also advocating for exploration of individual assets and future employment opportunities in sectors such as finance, energy, and oil-and-gas industries.
