nuclear-news

Nuclear site warns £2.8bn budget is ‘not enough’

 BBC 24th Feb 2025

Planned work to decommission the UK’s largest nuclear site could have to be slowed down or paused due to insufficient funding, managers have warned.

Sellafield Ltd, which manages the site near Seascale in Cumbria, said its £2.8bn funding for the 2025-26 financial year would “not be enough” for the planned operations.

The GMB union urged Sellafield to be transparent about the impact of the budget restraints on workers.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said Sellafield’s safety and security was their “top priority”.

In October the spending watchdog, the National Audit Office, said the site was not “value for money” and it had spent £1.9bn more than it earned in 2023-2024.

It is understood that while the funding for the 2025-26 financial year is similar to the one for the 2024-25, it does not take into account inflation and rise in energy prices.

Employee fears

The funding is indicative and is expected to be confirmed soon, but Sellafield said the forecast budget would impact its supply chain.

A spokesman added: “Critical work will continue but some projects will need to be slowed down, paused, or stopped.”…………………………..
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2yvpx8xp1o

February 27, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, UK