The liquidation of the Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery has sparked urgent calls for government intervention, as the site plays a pivotal role in the UK’s energy infrastructure. Located on the South Humber Bank, the refinery processes 10% of the nation’s fuel from crude oil and is one of only five major refineries in the UK. The closure, effective from 30 June 2025, threatens thousands of jobs across the region, with significant implications for the broader energy supply chain.

Industry experts warn that the loss of this refinery could disrupt fuel production and create a ripple effect across various sectors, including logistics, contractors, and energy-intensive industries in the area. The site’s closure has prompted concerns about the long-term stability of the UK’s energy resilience and its industrial competitiveness.

North Lincolnshire Council has outlined specific actions it wants from the UK Government. These include immediate financial assistance for affected businesses in the supply chain, a government-backed plan for site remediation and redevelopment, and increased investment in low-carbon fuel production and industry diversification. The council has also called for strategic collaboration to secure the refinery’s future and to protect apprenticeships and pension schemes tied to the site.

Yorkshire Water has been fined £865,000 following a pollution incident at its Ingbirchworth Water Treatment Works in South Yorkshire. The company was found to have discharged millions of litres of chlorinated water into Ingbirchworth Dike over nearly a month, with devastating effects on local aquatic life.

The discharge, which lasted from 1 November to 26 November 2017, involved around 1 million litres of chlorinated water released each day. This level of contamination, even at low chlorine concentrations, proved toxic to fish and other aquatic species. The pollution resulted in over 430 dead fish being discovered in a single day, and it is believed that the total death toll was much higher.

Yorkshire Water was ordered to pay the fine, alongside costs of £34,979.79 and a victim surcharge. The company had pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of polluting the watercourse. The court highlighted failures in the company’s systems, which allowed the release of chlorinated water into the environment despite alarms being set at incorrect levels and a faulty inlet valve. These system failures, along with a lack of adequate checks, were deemed a significant factor in the prolonged discharge and subsequent environmental damage.

Since the incident, Yorkshire Water has implemented corrective measures, including adjusting alarm settings, replacing the faulty valve, and introducing more stringent checks to prevent future occurrences.

A new initiative in West Yorkshire will provide comprehensive employment and health support to residents, aiming to integrate services at GP surgeries, hospitals, dentists, and community hubs.

The £37 million funding aims to simplify access to essential support for individuals with health conditions and disabilities, offering personalised services all in one location. This effort forms part of a broader strategy to reshape employment assistance in the region.

At the first meeting of the Healthy Working Life Board, key figures, including Mayor Tracy Brabin, discussed their goal to make West Yorkshire the healthiest region in England by 2040. The board, which will oversee the programme’s progress, will meet regularly to ensure the initiative delivers sustainable support to residents, helping them navigate health and employment challenges with ease.

This initiative reflects West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s commitment to transforming local health and employment services for long-term benefit.

TaskMaster Resources, a Leeds-based workforce solutions provider, has secured £15m in funding from Bibby Financial Services (BFS) to accelerate its UK expansion. The funding includes a £13m Confidential Invoice Discounting facility and a £2m cashflow loan, designed to give the company the financial flexibility needed to scale its operations and integrate recent acquisitions.

With a 29-year history in temporary and permanent staffing, including sectors such as warehousing and industrial, TaskMaster aims to reach £100m in annual turnover. The funding has already facilitated the company’s acquisition of part of a competitor’s trade in the South-West, marking a key milestone in its post-acquisition strategy since being acquired by IPE Ventures.

The £2m cashflow loan is structured over three years to support TaskMaster’s expansion plans, enabling it to secure larger contracts and extend its geographical footprint across the UK. This funding is a crucial part of TaskMaster’s efforts to capture a larger share of the industrial recruitment market and further solidify its growth trajectory.