News
Talks continue to save ‘irreplaceable’ refinery jobs
FIRST MINISTER Carwyn Jones has confirmed that talks are continuing to find a buyer for the closure-threatened Murco oil refinery in Milford Haven and safeguard hundreds of ‘irreplaceable’ jobs.
At Assembly question time on Tuesday (6 May), Joyce Watson AM asked for an update on discussions between potential buyers and the Murco Refinery Task Force, the group working to prevent closure.
The Labour member for Mid and West Wales also asked what lessons could be learnt from the closure of the Coryton refinery in Essex, which ceased production two years ago.
Mrs Watson, a member of the Assembly’s Enterprise and Business committee, said:
“As part of the ongoing discussions between the Welsh and UK Governments on the taskforce and through other channels, what discussions have there been about the lessons from the Coryton refinery in Essex?
“When that was allowed to close in 2012 it cost businesses and the community in that area an estimated £589 million.”
Mr Jones confirmed that discussions with potential buyers are continuing; the aim is to secure the future of the refinery, he said: “There are 300 jobs in the refinery. The average salary is £50,000. None of us could possibly allow ourselves to believe that those jobs could be replaced either in the short term or the medium term, which is why the refinery is so important.
“A number of discussions are still ongoing. We will continue to work to make sure that the refinery has a viable future.
“We will continue to work with any potential buyers and with the current owners to make sure that that future is realised.
The Murco Refinery Task Force led by Lord Bourne, held its first meeting on 15 April. Economy Minister Edwina Hart has instructed the group to engage partners in high-level discussions to support the company in maintaining the future of refinery operations at the site.
The First Minister continued: “It is not the case, as far as Murco is concerned, that it needs a substantial amount of investment in order to be profitable. The investment has been made, so it is in that fortunate position.
“The difficulty is that there is overcapacity in the refining market. Much more oil is now refined close to the source of the oil in the middle east, for example.
“There are certainly other refineries in Europe that are not as state of the art as Murco, which, in the normal course of events, would probably have closed first. So, the point that we wish to make to any potential buyer is that Murco is certainly a going concern. It is not a plant that needs a huge of amount of investment for it to be profitable in future, and that is why we believe that it has a future as long as there is an agreement between the current owners and any potential buyers.”
Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, has welcomed the recognition and support that the First Minister, Carwyn Jones, has shown for the Murco Oil refinery in Milford Haven, as well as his continued hope that a buyer may be found.
During questions, the First Minister outlined the benefits that the Milford site has over competitors across Europe in response to probing from Mrs Evans.
The First Minister said:
“There are two points. First, it is not the case, as far as Murco is concerned, that it needs a substantial amount of investment in order to be profitable. The investment has been made, so it is in that fortunate position.
“The difficulty is that there is overcapacity in the refining market. Much more oil is now refined close to the source of the oil in the middle east, for example, as was the case before, and it is unfortunate that the timing is as it is, as far as Murco is concerned. There are certainly other refineries in Europe that are not as state of the art as Murco, which, in the normal course of events, would probably have closed first.
“So, the point that we wish to make to any potential buyer is that Murco is certainly a going concern. It is not a plant that needs a huge of amount of investment for it to be profitable in future, and that is why we believe that it has a future as long as there is an agreement between the current owners and any potential buyers.”
Mrs Evans added:
“I share the First Minister’s hope that a new buyer for the refinery will be found as a matter of expediency. The First Minister makes an important point in that the Murco site is not in need of large investment, unlike other refinery sites in similar circumstances across Europe. The Milford site is still very much a going concern and one that is extremely important to the local economy.
“I join with the refinery workers in hoping that the Welsh Government’s taskforce set up to help the refinery will be able to find an interested party soon.”
News
Car crashes into house in St Davids

EMERGENCY services were called after a car crashed into a house on Nun Street in St Davids on Thursday (Apr 24).
Dyfed-Powys Police and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene at around 4:35pm following reports of a single-vehicle collision.
On arrival, they found that a car had collided with a residential property. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The road remained open while the vehicle was recovered.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police attended a report of a single-vehicle road traffic collision where a car collided with a property on Nun Street, St Davids, at around 4:35pm yesterday. No injuries were reported, and the road remained open while the vehicle was recovered.”
Community
Milford Haven and Neyland Police issue appeal for missing man

POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a 54-year-old man who has been reported missing from the Milford Haven area.
Neil is described as being around 6ft 2in tall with a shaved head. He has tattoos on his arms and one of his fingers, and sometimes wears glasses.
He was last seen on Friday afternoon (Apr 26) wearing a black Superdry hoodie, ripped jeans, and orange and black Nike Air trainers. Neil is believed to be on foot.
Anyone with information that could help is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police: 🖥️ | Online portal
📧 | [email protected]
📞 | Call 101, quoting reference 262 of April 26.
Community
Fire service delivers vital kit to Ukraine

Wales joins UK’s largest firefighting aid convoy
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) has taken part in the UK’s largest ever convoy delivering vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, joining 17 other Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs) from across the country.
The convoy, coordinated by FIRE AID and supported by the UK Government, left the UK in early April. It travelled through France, Germany and Poland, delivering over 30 fire service vehicles and more than 15,000 items of equipment to support Ukrainian firefighters on the front line of the ongoing war.
Since the Russian invasion in 2022, UK fire services have donated 119 vehicles and over 200,000 pieces of equipment to Ukraine. Each participating service ensured local needs were met before donating surplus kit.
Watch Manager Rob Kershaw represented MAWWFRS on the convoy. He said:
“It’s been a privilege to be part of this convoy and to represent both FIRE AID and Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
We received invaluable support and assistance from fire and police services across every country we passed through. Their help in coordinating, escorting, and hosting the convoy was outstanding.”
Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM added:
“MAWWFRS is proud to support our colleagues in Ukraine by donating and delivering essential equipment.
The events in Ukraine have deeply affected the fire and rescue community, and this convoy is a demonstration of our ongoing commitment to helping those still working under extreme conditions.”
The donated equipment will support firefighters in Ukraine who continue to operate in war zones to save lives and protect property—often at great personal risk. Since the conflict began, 100 Ukrainian firefighters have been killed and 431 injured. A total of 411 fire stations and 1,700 firefighting vehicles have been destroyed.
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Teifion
May 17, 2014 at 4:40 pm
Bryns Porsche has been seen there so worry not the jobs are safe – sorry, I mean GONE!