Sizewell C announcement welcome, but dithering on new nuclear left UK woefully unprepared for energy crisis

Failure to grasp nuclear nettle left people facing higher bills and insecure energy supply, says GMB Union

GMB described the Government’s announcement today [1 September, 2022] that it will invest £700m in Sizewell C as a ‘belated step in the right direction’.

After years of delays, Ministers today pledged firm support for the new £30 billion reactor in Suffolk.

But the union warned the skills gap must be addressed if further progress on vital new nuclear reactors is to be addressed.

Andy Prendergast, GMB National Secretary, said:

“Today’s decision is a belated step in the right direction – but it should have happened years ago.

“With energy prices going through the roof and all bar one of our nuclear power stations due to go off line by the end of the decade, this does at least provide some assurance on our energy security.

“Years of political failure to make the right decision on new nuclear means we are woefully unprepared for the energy crisis facing us today.

“This same inertia has resulted in a failure to secure our domestic gas supply

“The real-world consequences of this lack of political courage are higher bills and risk of blackouts this winter.

“The Government must grasp the nettle and commit to the other vital new reactors we – such as Wylfa in Wales – and make sure we have the skilled workers required.”