Pembrokeshire County Council has welcomed the announcement that the Klesch Group has signed a purchase agreement with Murphy Oil to take over the Murco refinery at Milford Haven. "This is good news for Pembrokeshire, Wales and indeed the whole of the United Kingdom" said the council's cabinet member for economy, Clr. David Pugh. He went on: "The refinery is a key component of the UK energy supply system and its retention supports and strengthens the role of the Milford Haven waterway as a global energy centre - a position recognised in terms of its Enterprise Zone status. "The refinery supports hundreds of quality jobs in the local and regional economy, both directly and indirectly. "Safeguarding this skill-set - and the local supply chain - has been an important focus of the task and finish group which the county council has contributed to. "We look forward to working with the Klesch Group and take this opportunity to congratulate all partners involved in bringing these negotiations to a successful conclusion."

AM welcomes sale

Mid and West Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas has welcomed the sale of Murco oil refinery in Milford Haven, safeguarding 400 jobs. Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas said: "The Party of Wales raised the importance of Murco to the west's economy with the First Minister in May. We pressed on the Welsh Government to do everything they could to ensure a buyer was found for the benefit of the local economy. The news that the sale has safeguarded 400 jobs is good news for us all in the west. "The refinery in Milford Haven is as important to the local economy as Tata steelworks in the south or Airbus in the north of Wales. What we must do now is ensure a fresh start for businesses from the Welsh Government. If we support our private sector properly, Wales can fully recover from the recession and strengthen our economy. "Plaid Cymru has been consulting widely with businesses in all parts of Wales over recent months to give them a say in how we can make this happen. If you want to help the party form policies for the next Welsh Government in 2016, please contact us."

'delighted by news'

Responding to the news, Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said: "I am delighted by the news that an agreement has been signed. "It is a vote of confidence in the skill and the professionalism of the 400 strong workforce, and it draws a line under a protracted period of uncertainty which has been very difficult. The deal is also excellent news for the many jobs in the wider community that depend on the refinery. "I take my hat off to the Welsh Government and others who have worked tirelessly to secure a sale, and whose commitment to the refinery and the Pembrokeshire workforce has made this deal possible."

'safeguarding hundreds of jobs'

William Graham AM, Shadow Minister for Business, said: "I welcome the news that the sale of the Murco oil refinery has been confirmed, safeguarding hundreds of jobs. "Refining fuels is a highly skilled and specialist industry, with this refinery alone responsible for the output of six billion tonnes of refined substances every year. "While the energy supply industry has faced much-increased competition in recent years, I'm sure the location of this oil refinery was part of its appeal to prospective buyers and helped secure this sale." Paul Davies, Assembly Member for Preseli Pembrokeshire, said: "This news will come as a great relief to the hundreds of employees, whose jobs have been secured, as well as their families. "Many Pembrokeshire businesses provide supplies to the Murco oil refinery, so they too will be breathing a collective sigh of relief that work has not been lost. "I welcome the news that this oil refinery can continue to provide quality fuel and maintain its position as a major employer in the Pembrokeshire economy long into the future."