Union leaders raise concerns over nuclear industry
They're urging the Chancellor to guarantee resources it needs
Last updated 11th Sep 2024
Union leaders have raised "significant concerns" with the government about its policy on nuclear energy.
In a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the general secretaries of the GMB union and Prospect said new nuclear development has a key role to play in achieving net zero, underpinning a green industrial strategy and providing good, clean jobs in communities that most need them.
Gary Smith (GMB) and Mike Clancy (Prospect) called on the Chancellor to guarantee the resources the nuclear industry needs to thrive.
They highlighted "worrying" potential cuts by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, saying:
"We understand that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) is facing severe budgetary pressures, which would result in cuts to high hazard and safety-related activities across the nuclear estate including at Dounreay and Sellafield Ltd. We fear that jobs will be impacted at Sellafield in particular.
"The consequent reduction in the volume of work that can be undertaken will inevitably reduce plant maintenance, accelerating the degradation of assets and bringing cuts to the skilled workforce. As demonstrated in the phase two report of the Grenfell Tower inquiry, any dilution of the safety culture must be a red flag."
They added it would be a "huge mistake" to rule out development of a new nuclear power station at Wylfa in North Wales.
"It is precisely such inconsistency in approach that has held back the progress of our nuclear industry, and indeed our energy industry more broadly, over many years," said the letter.