News

As MPs visit Springfields Prospect warns future is at risk due to lack of coherent thinking

19 August 2021

A Group of MPs visited Springfields nuclear fuel manufacturing site near Preston today (19 July) to discuss the long-term future of the facility. The MPs met with management and trade unions.

The future of the facility has been called into doubt by a wave of redundancies which unions warn could deplete skills to such a level that the facility would struggle to carry on. Springfields is currently the only UK facility capable of producing fuel for our existing and future large scale nuclear reactors.

Sue Ferns, Prospect senior deputy general secretary, said:

“Springfields has a crucial role to play in both the Net Zero and Levelling Up agendas, but the future of this facility and its talented workforce is at risk because of a lack of coherent strategic thinking by government and industry.

“It is welcome that MPs are visiting the site today and hearing first hand from the workforce about the importance of retaining Springfields so that we can manufacture UK fuel for future UK nuclear reactors.

“MPs have a chance to raise this issue directly with the government at a special debate when parliament is back, and I would urge them to speak up for Springfields and the many hundreds of good, high skilled, green jobs it supports.”


two energy workers

Energy

From generation to transmission, Prospect represents the interests of over 22,500 members working across all parts of the energy sector.