operational

"We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices," a Home Office spokesperson said.

Speaking to Radio 5 Live at Labour conference, Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden dismissed the idea that security decisions were political, adding it was an operational matter "for the police and the security authorities".

Regional directors have cumulatively closed a similar number of cases in 2025 compared to recent years when both the Board and regional directors were fully operational.

"The nature of hybrid war is that it's intended to take us by surprise. So we're not done with operational shocks like this one."

The Unite union said the government was "responsible for the redundancies going ahead, as it could provide support to ensure the refinery is kept intact and operational".