Prospect takes to Holyrood to call on Scotland to drop its ban on new nuclear

Prospect members and reps were among a group of Scottish civil nuclear workers and union representatives from across the UK who gathered at the Scottish Parliament in March to call on First Minister John Swinney MSP to drop the ban on new nuclear development in Scotland.

Photo: TUSNE

Prospect’s delegation included Jonathan Hart and Nathan Watson, both nuclear engineers, from the EDF Energy branch based at Torness nuclear power station just outside Edinburgh.

Trevor Sperring, an EDF Energy branch secretary and a member of Prospect’s Energy Sector Executive Committee, was also with them at Holyrood and part of the wider delegation that was brought together by Trade Unionists for Safe Nuclear Energy (TUSNE) and the Nuclear Industry Association.

Petition and roundtable

As well as delivering a petition signed by more than 1,000 nuclear workers across Scotland calling on the First Minister to lift the ban on new nuclear power, the delegation took part in a roundtable chaired by Martin Whitfield MSP, alongside other supportive MSPs, to press home just what is at stake for Scottish workers and their communities.

TUSNE Chair Jim Mowatt highlighted that Scotland has already missed out on over 5,000 highly skilled, well-paid nuclear jobs as a direct result of the ban.

Left to right, Nathan Watson, Jonathan Hart and Trevor Sperring

Jonathan Hart, a design engineer at Torness, spoke about wanting to continue his career at home in Scotland something the SNP’s continued opposition to new nuclear makes impossible.

He had earlier said:

“After graduating from the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh in 2013 I wanted to work on nuclear new build but the only opportunities to do so were in England.

“After 10 years, most recently with the Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor programme, my family moved back north to allow me to assume my current role with EDF at Torness power station. We have lots of work to do here to keep the station generating for several more years but it feels like Scotland is missing out on a huge opportunity for more.

“I would love the chance to apply my experience to developing new nuclear projects here in Scotland, and I’d like today’s students to be able to gain the same experience and skills as me without having to move away but that won’t happen without a change in direction from the government.”

After the event, Jonathan Hart posted on his LinkedIn:

I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with politicians, industry colleagues and union leaders at the Scottish Parliament. We discussed why new nuclear power in Scotland is the right choice, in addition to making the most of our renewable energy resources.

⚡️ Secure, reliable, low carbon electricity supply.
⚡️ Grid stability.
👷🏽‍♀️ Interesting, varied, well paid jobs now and for future generations.
🏗️ Manufacturing opportunities.
💷 Boost to local economy.

Thanks Prospect, Trade Unionists for Safe Nuclear Energy, and Nuclear Industry Association for organising the event and having me along.