Oil refinery deal off

Following the devastating news that a deal that would have secured over 400 jobs and the local economy in Milford Haven has fallen through, Unite today (November 5) called for the taskforce to be reconvened.

For over three years, Milford Haven oil refinery’s future hung in the balance as owner Murco struggled to find a buyer for the West Wales site.

The taskforce was originally set up to secure the future of Murco’s Milford Haven oil refinery after its sale to Klesch Refining Limited.

But with the sale now off its bad news for everyone – and time to revisit the taskforce.

Unite warned that the refinery which employs over 400 people is a key asset to Wales and the wider UK economy and its closure could undermine the future security of fuel supply.

Union reps will be holding urgent meetings with Welsh government ministers and will press the UK’s Westminster government to intervene in a bid to secure an alternative buyer.

“Milford Haven is a crucial asset to the Welsh economy and its permanent closure would not only be a huge blow for jobs in Wales, but potentially undermine the security of future fuel supplies for the UK,” said Unite Wales secretary Andy Richards.

“We need to urgently reconvene the taskforce originally set up to ensure that all the key players are working together to secure the refinery’s future,” he added.

“The workforce has shown great professionalism and resilience in these deeply uncertain times and need to be assured that every avenue will be explored to ensure there is a future for oil refining at Milford Haven.”