The leader of North Lincolnshire Council has ‘cautiously welcomed’ the news that Phillips 66 has agreed a deal to acquire assets at the Lindsey Oil Refinery, while stressing the need for firm assurances to protect jobs.
As previously reported, the refinery entered administration in June 2025 after financial difficulties at its parent company, Prax, leading to a number of redundancies. Under the agreement, Phillips 66 will take over facilities at the Lindsey site and integrate them into its Humber Refinery operations. However, standalone refining at Lindsey will not resume.
Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said the announcement — which guarantees the jobs of around 250 staff until the end of March — marked an important step forward after months of uncertainty. He added that clear commitments are now needed to safeguard employees, contractors and the long-term economic future of the area.
He said: “This is good news in what has been an incredibly difficult period for workers, their families and the wider community.
“It is positive that a serious investor with a strong track record in the UK is stepping in, and Phillips 66 is a respected local employer with a long-standing presence here in North Lincolnshire. But this is only part of the picture. There is more to do, and there are still important questions that need clear answers.
“I have been clear with ministers that we now need certainty – that includes clear commitments on employment for existing staff, clarity on any potential TUPE rights, and a better understanding of what this deal means for contractors who rely on the site for work. We also need greater transparency about exactly which assets have been acquired and what that means for future use of the site and surrounding infrastructure.”
Councillor Waltham continued: “This is a positive step, but the stakes remain high and Government cannot step back at this point – these are skilled, high-quality jobs that matter to families in Lincolnshire and to the country’s energy resilience. Protecting that capability and avoiding further loss of fuel capacity must now be a priority, with Government fully engaged in what comes next.”
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.