Calls for immediate support for new UK nuclear, as Hitachi bows out

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has backed a motion pledging support for new nuclear power stations in the UK, as Hitachi appears to have withdrawn from its project to build a new plant on Anglesey.

The trade union umbrella body’s annual conference, which is taking place virtually this year, has passed an emergency motion proposed by Prospect.

The motion, which was seconded by Unite, calls for urgent action to support jobs in the UK nuclear fuels industry, and pledges support for new nuclear power stations in the UK.

Prospect’s motion was prompted worries that the early closure of Hunterston B power station, announced by its operator EDF Energy at the end of last month, was a prelude to the early closure of other nuclear facilities.

The union said the closure would have a “devastating impact” on the UK’s nuclear fuel supply chain, energy security and indigenous nuclear fuel manufacturing capacity.

The motion warns that the future of the Springfields Fuels site in Lancashire, which is the UK’s only nuclear fuel manufacturer and supports 4,000 skilled jobs in the north west, is in “jeopardy”.

The motion calls for the TUC to lobby government to take “immediate steps” to establish a tripartite forum, including the recognised unions, to secure the future of Springfields Fuels and the “high-quality” jobs it supports.

It also presses for a Parliamentary debate that commits to support for nuclear as part of a low carbon energy future, and for the early publication of the delayed energy white paper.

The third key point of the motion is to ensure any future UK nuclear power stations source their fuel from UK manufacturers.

Sue Ferns, Prospect’s senior deputy general secretary, said: “If we are to achieve our net zero targets nuclear must be part of the low carbon energy mix going forward. That means we need a proper commitment from the government on new nuclear, and a proper commitment from the government on sourcing fuel from the UK.

“Having the weight of the TUC behind this motion shows the importance this industry has to British jobs, skills and energy security.”

The motion was backed as the Japanese press, confirmed by the BBC, have reported that Hitachi has stopped work on its plans to deliver a 2.9GW, twin reactor plant at Wylfa on the Isle of Anglesey in Wales.

The local council told the BBC that the company had written a letter saying that it is withdrawing from the project, work on which was suspended nearly two years ago.

The TUC annual conference also saw Sir Keir Starmer attack Centrica’s move to modify the contracts of thousands of workers, while carrying out a major round of redundancies.

In his keynote speech, delivered while self-isolating due to a suspected coronavirus case in his household, the Labour leader said such “fire and rehire” tactics should be made illegal.

He said: “In disputes such as with BA and British Gas, we’ve seen the importance of strong trade unions in defending working people.

“Fire and re-hire tactics are wrong. They’re against British values. They should also be illegal. These tactics punish good employers. Hit working people hard. And harm our economy.

“After a decade of pay restraint – that’s the last thing working people need. And in the middle of a deep recession – it’s the last thing our economy needs.”

Responding to Sir Keir’s speech, GMB national secretary Justin Bowden said:

“British Gas must step back from their fire and rehire plans. As Keir said, it’s not just wrong, it’s against British values.