GMB urges Labour to bring down energy costs as Ineos mothballs three plants in Hull

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Ineos is one of the world’s largest chemical companies, producing raw materials used in products including pharmaceuticals, clothing and cosmetics, construction and military explosives.

About 1,000 employees who are based at the Saltend Chemicals Park will be affected by the move, of which about 240 are directly employed by Ineos, it is understood.

Ineos said there could be a knock-on impact to a further 3,000 skilled jobs in Humberside, taking in the supply chain.

GMB national secretary Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said: “This government has talked about the need for reindustrialisation — but at the same time huge manufacturing operations are closing due to sky-high energy costs. 

“GMB has repeatedly warned UK industry will suffer from the country’s deeply uncompetitive gas prices. 

“Workers from across the manufacturing sector — and their families — will look on in horror as yet more vital jobs are ripped from the communities that need them.” 

Ineos’s billionaire owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe also blamed high gas prices for “destroying” its manufacturing base.

Energy minister Michael Shanks said he was calling on Sir Jim “to be part of the solution” and work with the government on its reindustrialisation plans.

A spokesperson for the Department for Business and Trade said: “We’ve taken bold action to support our chemicals industry including £350 million for strategically important chemicals producers, which will be available on a co-investment basis.

“We’ve also put trade measures in place on foreign chemicals imports and are tackling high electricity costs via our Supercharger and British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme to keep our chemicals sector competitive.”