The dog's dinner that is Moorside currently is a living example of
why Britain should not leave it to foreign companies to keep the
country’s lights on
The Labour MP , member for Leeds West, used
the first Business, Energy and Industry Strategy question session
since the general election to demand the government step in and
shore up the £10 billion project to build a new nuclear power
station at Moorside in Cumbria. [1]
Moorside is set to deliver seven per cent of the UK’s
electricity from 2025 but has been beset by a series of
setbacks.
French firm Engie [2], which was backing the project
with Toshiba, pulled out of the project last month after Toshiba
announced multi-billion dollar losses, causing the Japanese
company’s chairman Shigenori Shiga to step down.
[3]
Then Toshiba’s US arm Westinghouse, which is
producing the reactors for Moorside, went bankrupt.
[4]
, MP for Leeds West, asked the
Secretary of State:
“Energy security is essential for national security
and family finances.
“The potential energy project at Moorside in Cumbria
is key for such security but with Toshiba now predicted to lose
£7 billion and the French firm backing the project pulling out,
can the Secretary of State tell us if and when this project is
going ahead and give the assurances that industry, workers and
consumers desperately need?”
Greg Clarke, the Secretary of State, fumbled his
answer and sought to palm off responsibility to the consortium
NuGen, saying “they've expressed themselves confident that they
will proceed."
He also failed to give an answer to the simple
question of when the development will go ahead.
Justin Bowden, GMB National Secretary,
said:
“ is absolutely right to raise
the UK’s vital energy needs in the House of
Commons.
“This is not a party political matter, it is about
the security of our country's future energy supply.
“Government reassurance by stepping in at Moorside is
long overdue.
“The Moorside project has suffered a series of
avoidable disasters, all the result of misguided decisions by
government to palm off the responsibility to maintain our future
energy supply to foreign companies.
“Greg Clarke's lacklustre response leaves us with
more questions than answers at a time when strong leadership
couldn't be more important.
“The dog's dinner that is Moorside currently is a
living example of why Britain should not leave it to foreign
companies to keep the country’s lights on.”
ENDS
Contact: GMB
Press Office on 07958 156846 or
at press.office@gmb.org.uk
Notes to
editors:
[1] http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/432847ea-d55c-426f-98c5-c81aed753d08?in=12:25:36&out=12:26:28
[2] Huge Concern' As Moorside Investor Walks
Away
Wednesday, April 5, 2017
‘There is too much at stake for project not to go
ahead’ says union.
Read more: http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/huge-concern-moorside
[3] Toshiba Resignation Must Not Jeopardise
Moorside
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Fiasco shows exactly why relying on foreign companies
for energy needs ‘plain stupid'
Read more: http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/toshiba-resignation-fears
[4] GMB Demands Moorside Reassurance as Westinghouse
Goes Bust
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
It’s vital project is given certainty in wake of
Westinghouse bankruptcy says union
Read more: http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/westinghouse-goes-bust
Previous press
releases:
'Keep Moorside on Track'
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Relying on foreign money to build our infrastructure
is always fraught with risks says GMB
Read more: http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/keep-moorside-track
GMB Demands Clarity over Moorside
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Union says this is why foreign investors shouldn't be
left to keep Britain's lights on
Read more: http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/clarity-over-moorside
