nuclear-news

Ayrshire radiation highlighted as Labour’s nuclear support attacked

12th January

SCOTTISH Labour have been called out for their support of nuclear energy as
an MP warned of the risks of radioactivity in parts of the country. Allan
Dorans, the MP for Ayr said parts of his constituency were being
contaminated by radioactive waste from the Sellafield reprocessing plant in
Cumbria.

He highlighted research which found that shellfish caught off the
Ayrshire coast at Maidens, in the extreme west of his constituency,
contained radiation at a level which would mean it would be illegal for
sale in Japan.

It comes as the Government yesterday unveiled new plans for
what it called the “biggest nuclear expansion in 70 years”. Catches,
including the shells of mussels, cockles and winkles made off the Ayrshire
coast, which is downstream from Sellafield, were found to contain
“significant” levels of radiation in a 2015 study.

Labour are committed
to nuclear energy, with party leader Keir Starmer using a speech last
summer to slam the Government for stalling the UK’s progress on setting up
new atomic power plans and to pledge if in power he would invest in the
energy source. But concerns have been raised about its safety, with critics
pointing to the possibility of leaks or major breakdowns like Chernobyl or
Fukushima.

The National 12th Jan 2024

https://www.thenational.scot/news/24044180.ayrshire-radiation-highlighted-labours-nuclear-support-attacked/

January 14, 2024 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, UK