Prospect welcomes ‘vital step forward’ for Sizewell C

The government’s announcement of a £14.2bn investment to build the Sizewell C nuclear plant on the Suffolk coast is a ‘vital step forward’, says Prospect.

Discussing Sizewell C: Prime Minister Keir Starmer meeting with energy professionals today, including Prospect reps, and Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary

Building the plant will create some 10,000 jobs, including 1,500 apprenticeships and indirectly support thousands more jobs across the UK. When fully operational, Sizewell C will be able to power around 6m homes with zero-carbon energy.

As well as the welcome news on Sizewell C, the government has also confirmed that it has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to build the country’s first Small Modular Reactors and that there will be a £2.5bn investment for R&D into fusion energy over the next five years.

The government says that, all these developments combined, represents the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation.

Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, said:

“Delivering this funding for Sizewell C is a vital step forward, this project is critical to securing the future of the nuclear industry in the UK.

“New nuclear is essential to achieving net zero, providing a baseload of clean and secure energy, as well as supporting good, unionised jobs.

“Further investment in SMRs and fusion research shows we are finally serious about developing a 21st century nuclear industry. All funding must be backed up by a whole-industry plan to ensure we have the workforce and skills we need for these plans to succeed.”

Prospect EDF reps (left to right) Emma Goodson, Veronique Phillips and Ryan Broadhead meeting with PM Keir Starmer