INEOS make three demands to UK government

INEOS arrived at Manchester United promising to restore one of football’s fallen giants, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s regime has rarely escaped controversy.

Ratcliffe’s minority investment in 2024 handed INEOS control of football operations.

Since then, sweeping cost-cutting measures have included hundreds of redundancies, while ticketing changes and the expansion of hospitality areas have angered supporters.

That frustration has spilled onto the streets.

Fans protested against both INEOS and the Glazers before September’s Manchester derby, while criticism also followed a summer transfer window that left Michael Carrick without the additional left-back many supporters wanted.

There have been positives, including the redevelopment of Carrington and significant midfield investment, but results have remained inconsistent.

Events across Manchester have also been dominated by City’s financial case.

The Premier League officially announced that an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges concerning serious financial-rule breaches across nine seasons.

For United, the verdict has reopened debate surrounding past title races.

City won the 2011/12 Premier League on goal difference ahead of United, although no retrospective titles have been reassigned and sanctions remain a separate stage of proceedings.

INEOS issue three demands to UK government

INEOS have now turned their attention away from football, publicly calling for major changes to British energy policy.

City AM reports that Ratcliffe’s chemicals group has criticised the government’s British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, arguing that its focus on electricity costs fails to address industries heavily dependent on gas.

INEOS subsequently outlined three measures it wants the government to introduce.

The company called for fiscal relief through reduced carbon costs, the reopening of the North Sea to strengthen domestic energy supplies, and faster safeguards protecting British industry against what it considers unfair imports.

INEOS also urged ministers to approve the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas projects.

The company argues that Britain’s comparatively high gas prices threaten manufacturing jobs and increase reliance on imports.

Ratcliffe has previously criticised Britain’s energy strategy, arguing that greater domestic production is necessary for energy security.