Backing given for nuclear plants

The GMB general union’s motion for a new generation of nuclear plants received backing at last month’s Congress. The motion was seconded by the Prospect specialists’ union and supported by the Unite and Community general, ASLEF rail and FDA senior civil servants’ unions.

It called for the construction of a new “generation of nuclear plants, benefiting communities from Sizewell to West Cumbria and the development of Small Modular Reactors”. 

The union told Congress that the nuclear sector supports more than 60,000 jobs in its supply chain, and the sector offers one of the highest employment multipliers of any low carbon energy source.

It said that government and opposition politicians should now get on with agreeing a funding model to deliver Sizewell C in Suffolk and unblock stalled projects at Bradwell in Essex, Oldbury in Gloucestershire, Moorside in Cumbria and Wylfa Newydd in Anglesey. The Sizewell C project could, according to the union, support an estimated 25,000 jobs.

Andy Prendergast, GMB national secretary, said: “The labour movement has sent out a clear message: new nuclear projects like Sizewell C not only create tens of thousands of jobs — they are vital to saving the planet.”

Based on the findings in the government’s Green Jobs Task Force report, Congress also agreed that a detailed long-term plan is needed for net zero to support good quality green jobs in the UK.