Prospect, Unite and the GMB have joined forces to demand
government bring forward a long-promised funding solution for new
nuclear.
As part of the ‘Nuclear Week’ campaign in parliament this week,
which focuses attention on the nuclear industry, the three
biggest energy unions Prospect, Unite and GMB have made a joint
statement which argues that new nuclear will be essential to
hitting the government’s net zero target and expresses concern at
the delays in getting moving with new build projects.
The statement points out the risk of an impending ‘nuclear gap’
to retaining the skills and jobs necessary for the nuclear
industry.
The solution, say the unions, is for government to urgently bring
forward the legislation for a new funding framework for new
nuclear, to enable essential progress to be made on new build
projects in the coming years.
Crucially the unions say that they will support “any funding plan
that allows swift progress to be made”.
The Government have already consulted on a new Regulated Asset
Base (RAB) model for funding new nuclear, but the legislation to
bring the model into force has not yet been brought forward.
Sue Ferns, Prospect senior deputy general secretary,
said:
“The government, the Climate Change Committee and the unions all
agree that new nuclear must form part of the energy mix for us to
be able to meet our future decarbonisation goals.
“The primary roadblock to getting new nuclear projects off the
ground is the absence of a workable funding model. That’s why the
three biggest unions in nuclear have joined together to demand
that the government stop dithering and bring forward the
legislation that will allow vital projects to move ahead.
“There have been too many delays in recent years, and now were
are in serious danger of losing essential jobs and skills that
will be difficult and expensive to replace. With COP26 only two
months away now is the time for the UK to show it is serious
about decarbonisation and get moving on new nuclear.”
Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail
said:
“ The time for ministerial shilly-shallying on bringing forward
legislation for a comprehensive funding model for ‘new’ nuclear
projects is long past.
“Nuclear is a key component in the UK’s future energy ‘mix’ if we
are to meet the government’s stated goal of net zero emissions by
2050, as well as managing the soaring demand from industry,
commerce and the consumer.
“The climate emergency is here now; a clear and present danger to
the environment and humanity – and ‘new’ ‘nuclear is an important
tool in tackling this crisis. It would also create thousands of
skilled jobs as new sites are built and come on stream.”
Gary Carter, GMB Union National Officer, said:
“We need new nuclear to meet our net zero targets and support a
proper transition.
“We need nuclear energy to deliver security of supply.
“We need a new nuclear funding to model to achieve all of the
above”.
