Workplace Report February 2017

Health & safety - HSE Monitor

UK must remain member of Euratom



Nuclear power unions have condemned the government’s proposal for the UK to exit the European Atomic Energy community (Euratom) as part of the Brexit process. 



The GMB general union has called for the UK to remain in Euratom until a viable alternative can be found which protects Britain’s nuclear interests. It says that the intention to pull out threatens the UK’s entire nuclear industry and would severely delay the new £18 billion Hinkley Point C power station. 



Scientific union Prospect says that the move would have a number of significant implications, including removing the requirement for the UK to comply with Euratom safety regimes, without which other countries will not be able to collaborate with the UK. 



Prospect is urging its members to contact their MPs urgently to register their opposition to the decision and to share their correspondence with the union so it can use the information to lobby against the decision as the bill moves into the House of Lords. 


https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/feb/28/british-nuclear-power-stations-could-be-forced-to-close-after-brexit

https://www.prospect.org.uk/blog/index/2017/February/2/Lobby-future-Euratom

www.world-nuclear-news.org/NP-UK-trade-union-underlines-Toshiba-Euratom-concerns-02021701.html