Workers from the UK’s largest bioethanol plant have visited Westminster amidst fears the plant could close down within days without Government support.
The Vivergo Fuels plant at the Saltend Chemicals Park, near Hull, has warned that it could be forced to shut down as a result of the US-UK trade deal announced last month.
The deal includes the removal of the 19 per cent tariff on ethanol imports from the US, which Vivergo Fuels warns could lead to the collapse of the UK bioethanol industry as domestic companies may struggle to compete with cheaper imports from across the Atlantic.
As an industry leader in the production of the renewable fuel, which can be used as an alternative to the likes of petrol and diesel, Vivergo Fuels claims to support over 4,000 jobs through its supply chain, including 160 at their Saltend plant.
The company has been calling for direct government action in recent days and weeks and on Wednesday June 4, thirty five of their workers took their concerns to the heart of government by visiting Westminster. The group left the East Yorkshire plant at 6am in order to be outside Parliament, banner in hand, by midday.
The group spoke to MPs and media outlets about the future of their plant and the UK’s bioethanol industry. The MP for Hull East, Karl Turner said: “The fact that dozens of workers had to travel from East Yorkshire to Westminster today shows just how serious this situation is.
“Vivergo is not only a major employer in our region—it’s a key player in our green economy and food security.
“The Government must act urgently to support this industry and safeguard green British jobs and innovation.”
Ben Hackett, Managing Director of Vivergo Fuels, said:
“With the future of the Vivergo plant hanging in the balance, our workers felt compelled to speak directly to their MPs about what is at stake.
“This isn’t just about one site—it’s about protecting thousands of skilled jobs, supporting British farming, and preserving a vital part of our green energy infrastructure.
“Earlier today the Prime Minister said he will always protect British businesses and British jobs. Now it’s time for his government to act and save Vivergo before it’s too late.”
As well Mr Turner, a number of other local politicians, including the leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross, have backed Vivergo Fuels’ calls for action in recent days. This week the Mayor of Hull and East Yorkshire, Luke Campbell, took to X (formerly Twitter) to ask the Government to “rethink” the trade deal with the US. Mr Campbell added: “Let’s protect British industry.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We signed a deal with the US in the national interest to secure thousands of jobs across key sectors.
“We are now working closely with the industry to understand the impacts of the UK-US trade deal on the UK’s two bioethanol companies and are open to discussion over potential options for support.
“The Business Secretary has met members of the bioethanol sector and senior officials continue to consider what options may be available to support the impacted companies.”
By: Andrew Spence, LDRS
