The TUC and General Secretaries of major trade unions have
written to the Business Secretary urgently seeking an end to the
delay in getting funding for Sizewell C signed off.
The letter expressed urgent concern that time is running out for
the Government to make its own commitment to funding the project
which will build a new nuclear power station at Sizewell C in
Suffolk.
The letter warns that the Government’s proposed funding model,
the Regulated Asset Base model (RAB), will only be effective once
a Government Investment Decision (GID) is confirmed.
The letter warns:
“We sincerely believe that unless this matter is resolved in
the next few weeks, the UK’s nuclear future and the jobs and
skills of tens of thousands of nuclear workers will be at
risk.”
The Government has made repeated and firm commitments to new
nuclear as a long-term solution to the ongoing energy price
crisis, but so far firm action has been lacking.
Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect,
said:
“New nuclear as part of our energy mix is vital to achieving net
zero.
“The Prime Minister has promised the earth on this but continued
to dither and delay. The Government must now get moving on an
investment decision that will be good for energy security, good
for jobs and skills, and hugely important in tackling climate
change.”
Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said:
“There can be no net zero without new nuclear, so why does this
Government keep dithering on the big decisions to secure our
clean energy future?
“Their indecision is putting the vital new Sizewell reactor at
risk.
“This is beginning to look like another in a long line of
Government failures, from offshoring green jobs to closing our
domestic gas storage – each contributing to the chaotic situation
that exists in the UK energy sector.
“It’s time for real action on new nuclear. Our energy future is
too important to become victim to another Boris promise – here
today, gone tomorrow.”
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary, said:
“What is the Government waiting for? We have all heard them ‘talk
the talk’, now they need to ‘walk the walk’ and get a move on
with Sizewell C. The workers are committed to making this
facility a success. If the project is put in danger, then
the blame will lie firmly with the government.
“Let’s be clear, every day of delay puts energy jobs at risk and
hampers the nation’s progress to a mixed energy model. The
Government needs to get its act together and move this build
forward, now.”
Ends
Read the letter from the TUC and trade unions to the
Business Secretary: https://library.prospect.org.uk/download/2022/00586
