After years of inaction, the UK has gone from being a world
leader in nuclear power to having to play catch up, says GMB
Union.
Legislation to help fund the UK’s stalled nuclear
projects passed another stage to becoming made
law tonight.
MPs voted to progress the Nuclear (Financing) Bill which now
heads to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
The legislation will introduce a financing model which will
enable work to progress on Sizewell C
– potentially securing more than 25,000 jobs
The model can be used to
fund other conventional reactor proposals - such
as Bradwell B, Wylfa Newydd and Moorside - as well
as securing investment for Small Modular Reactors, potentially
crucial for a strong, UK supply chain.
Andy Pendergast, GMB National Secretary,
said:
“Today more progress has been made on sorting the funding
mechanism for new nuclear after years of inaction.
“With the closure of Hunterston B last week, and the threat
to skilled jobs as the current fleet is phased
out, the UK has gone from being a world leader in
nuclear power to having to play catch up.
“Nuclear plays a critical role in our energy infrastructure,
creating and sustaining good jobs and meeting our net
zero ambitions. With rising energy prices, it’s essential
the sector is maintained and developed to keep the lights on in a
way that is safe and dependable.”
“Even with Sizewell C, the UK faces significant cut in terms of
nuclear capacity.
“Passing this legislation must be the first step in rebuilding
and developing a new nuclear fleet.”
Legislation to help fund the UK’s stalled nuclear
projects passed another stage to becoming made
law tonight.
MPs voted to progress the Nuclear (Financing) Bill which now
heads to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
The legislation will introduce a financing model which will
enable work to progress on Sizewell C
– potentially securing more than 25,000 jobs
The model can be used to
fund other conventional reactor proposals - such
as Bradwell B, Wylfa Newydd and Moorside - as well
as securing investment for Small Modular Reactors, potentially
crucial for a strong, UK supply chain.
Andy Pendergast, GMB National Secretary,
said:
“Today more progress has been made on sorting the funding
mechanism for new nuclear after years of inaction.
“With the closure of Hunterston B last week, and the threat
to skilled jobs as the current fleet is phased
out, the UK has gone from being a world leader in
nuclear power to having to play catch up.
“Nuclear plays a critical role in our energy infrastructure,
creating and sustaining good jobs and meeting our net
zero ambitions. With rising energy prices, it’s essential
the sector is maintained and developed to keep the lights on in a
way that is safe and dependable.”
“Even with Sizewell C, the UK faces significant cut in terms of
nuclear capacity.
“Passing this legislation must be the first step in rebuilding
and developing a new nuclear fleet.”
