Friday 13 September 2024

Workers raise concerns over nuclear funding

GMB Union and Prospect, unions with workers in the energy sector have written to the Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling on her to guarantee the resources the nuclear industry needs to thrive in future.

The unions are concerned over inconsistencies in the development of nuclear sites and budgetary issues that will effect both the safety of workers in the field and job security.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of the union, Prospect and Gary Smith, General Secretary of GMB Union, said in the letter: '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.'