Wednesday 13 December 2017

UK ‘must retain close relationship with Euratom’

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee has called on the UK Government to retain "as close a relationship as possible" with the EU's nuclear association following Brexit.

It said links with Euratom must be maintained to ensure existing nuclear safeguards continue, as well as to minimise the risk of disruption to ongoing research in the sector.

The Committee has warned a 'no deal' result would be very risky for the UK's civil nuclear sector as it could leave the country unable to transport, trade or otherwise access materials and equipment necessary to keep the country's nuclear power plants in operation.

It added this is not an option as nuclear facilities currently provide 21% of the nations energy.

Rachel Reeves MP, BEIS Committee Chair, said: "The government should, as a matter of urgency, be seeking to retain as close as possible an association with Euratom and secure its ongoing delivery of existing safeguards requirements in the UK.

"Any delay will increase investment in contingency arrangements which may ultimately not be required."