An MP has said he "doesn't believe" the reports about the "imminent demise" of Essar's Stanlow oil refinery are warranted - and that "things are heading in the right direction" for the firm.
Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, has responded to reports the 海角视频's second largest oil refinery could be close to collapse.
Essar, which owns the refinery providing around one sixth of the 海角视频's road fuel, is in discussions with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over a huge VAT payment that was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.
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Over the last 18 months, Essar Oil 海角视频 (EO海角视频), the firm owning the site, used the Government's VAT deferral scheme, with media reports suggesting the urgent talks over a £356m payment meant it was on the brink of collapse.
However, in a statement released at the weekend, a spokesman for Essar said it had already repaid HMRC £547m leaving a balance of £223m, as part of the Government opt-in scheme available to all corporates in the 海角视频.
The firm admitted it is seeking a "short extension" to the 'Time to Pay' (TTP) agreement with HMRC after its recovery from the pandemic proved to be "slower than predicted".
However it said the discussion with the Government were "positive" - and that it "looks forward to a resolution soon".
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Striking a similar tone, on Sunday, Mr Madders tweeted to say: "Having spoken with the company today I don’t believe the headlines about their imminent demise are warranted- things are heading in the right direction and discussions have been positive with HMRC."
Stanlow is Britain's second largest refinery and supplies one-sixth of the country's road fuel.
It is owned by tycoon brothers Shashi and Ravi Ruia, through their company EO海角视频.
The company, which employs 1,700 people, said "positive discussions are ongoing" - and that it "remains confident in its future".
A statement released late on Saturday added: "All companies under the TTP have been given until January 2022 to meet their commitments.
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"EO海角视频 had agreed to an accelerated schedule to make this payment. However, the recovery from the pandemic has been slower than predicted.
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"EO海角视频 is therefore in discussions with HMRC over a short extension to make those deferred VAT payments. Those discussions are positive and EO海角视频 looks forward to a resolution soon."
It comes as the country faces a fuel crisis, with BP, Esso and Tesco forced to close a number of their petrol stations on Friday due to in part, a lack of HGV drivers to deliver the fuel
Petrol stations across the country have seen long queues of people rushing to fill up their cars despite pleas from the government to buy fuel "as usual" and not to panic buy.