UK to test new ‘Astraea’ nuclear warheads without detonation
The testing will be conducted in collaboration the French at a facility in Dijon, France.
IE, Christopher McFadden, 26 Mar 24
The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) has just announced its intention to test its next-generation nuclear warhead without actually detonating it.
This test will be the first of its kind since international agreements limit new nuclear testing and countries will have to use some highly sophisticated scientific apparatus.
The new warhead, the A21 “Astraea,” will replace the existing British-made warheads on the nation’s stockpile of Trident-II submarine-launched missiles. These missiles are currently carried aboard the UK’s four Vanguard-class nuclear submarines.
Like the nuclear warheads, the UK has pledged to replace its aging Vanguard class with new Dreadnought-class submarines by the mid-2030s. “UK is committed to replacing our sovereign warhead in parliament in February 2021,” the UK’s MoD shared in a white paper…………………………………………………………….. https://interestingengineering.com/military/uk-to-test-new-astraea-nuclear-warheads-without-detonation
The Decision That Wasn’t A Decision
Extradition has been delayed as UK High Court of Justice urges US government to submit “assurances” or face an appeal
| STELLA ASSANGE, MAR 27. 2024 |
Yesterday, the UK High Court ruled on Julian’s request to appeal extradition to the United States. The result? The decision has effectively been put on hold until the U.S. submits assurances – previously deemed by Amnesty as “inherently unreliable” – including that he will not be prejudiced at trial by reason of his nationality and not receive the death penalty.
In a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice, Stella said: “The UK High Court recognise that Julian is exposed to a flagrant denial of his freedom of expression rights, that he is being discriminated against on the basis of his nationality and that he remains exposed to the death penalty. And yet, what they have done is to invite a political intervention from the United States to send a letter saying ‘it’s all okay’…” https://stellaassangeofficial.substack.com/p/the-decision-that-wasnt-a-decision?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=800783&post_id=142999556&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=ln98x&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Decades of Dissent: Anti-Nuclear movement explored in LSE Library exhibition
ianVisits, London, 27 Mar 24
A “tube map” in the shape of a fighter jet is on display at the moment, as part of an exhibition looking at the two conflicting sides in the protests about the arms trade.
n the late 1950s, hundreds of thousands of people took part in demonstrations against Britain’s role in the nuclear arms race, sparking a movement that would continue until the present day. Over the decades, individuals from all backgrounds would be united in their support or rejection of nuclear disarmament. At times of great political division, these alliances evolved to incorporate debates over industrial relations, social policy and British identity as a whole.
The exhibition approaches this network primarily from the point of view of peace and anti-nuclear groups such as the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and the Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT). However, it invites you to consider how the interests and goals of any group can interact and intersect with one or more others.
Most of the exhibition looks at the different groups campaigning on various aspects of the arms trade, and some of the key people involved, with a lot of archive documents and newspapers on display.
Even setting aside the political message, the display also reminds us of the often grassroots style of printing in use at the time, with basic printed flyers contrasting with today’s online content………………………………………………
The exhibition is open every day until 15th September 2024 and is free to visit.
The exhibition is located next to the entrance at the LSE Library, just off Portugal Street, near Holborn. https://www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/decades-of-dissent-anti-nuclear-movement-explored-in-lse-library-exhibition-71146/
UK Court to Decide Tuesday If Julian Assange Can Appeal Extradition
The decision will be issued at 10:30 am London time
by Dave DeCamp March 25, 2024, https://news.antiwar.com/2024/03/25/uk-court-to-decide-if-julian-assange-can-appeal-extradition/
London’s High Court will rule on Tuesday whether WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange can appeal his extradition to the United States, where he would face trial for exposing US war crimes.
According to WikiLeaks, the written ruling is due to be delivered by 10:30 am London time.
Last month, Assange’s legal team presented its case for the appeal. His lawyers also introduced new evidence, including a bombshell report from Yahoo News that revealed the CIA in 2017, under Mike Pompeo at the time, considered kidnapping and even discussed assassinating Assange over WikiLeaks publishing detailed the CIA’s hacking tools, known as Vault 7.
Assange did not attend the two-day hearing due to his poor health, and he remains in London’s Belmarsh Prison, where he’s been held since 2019. Assange’s family and legal team believe he will die if extradited to the US.
The news of the High Court’s impending decision comes after The Wall Street Journal reported that the US was considering offering a plea deal to Assange and that Justice Department officials had preliminary talks with his legal team. However, Assange’s lawyer, Barry Pollack, said in response to the report that the US has “given no indication” that the US will take a deal.
Assange faces 17 counts under the Espionage Act and one charge for conspiracy to commit a computer intrusion for obtaining and publishing documents from a source, a standard journalistic practice. If Assange is convicted, it would set a grave precedent for press freedom in the US and around the world. A plea deal that criminalizes the journalist-source relationship could also set a dangerous precedent.
WikiLeaks has been asking Americans to put pressure on the Biden administration to stop its pursuit of Assange by contacting their House representatives and telling them to support H.Res.934, a bill introduced by Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) that calls for the US to drop the charges against Assange.
UK launches ‘national endeavour’ to reinforce nuclear deterrent
Government and industry will invest £760mn towards critical skills and infrastructure.
Ft.com Sylvia Pfeifer in London, 24 Mar 24
The UK government will launch a “national endeavour” to reinforce the country’s nuclear deterrent, including a promise to invest more than £760mn with industry over the next six years into critical skills and infrastructure.
Rishi Sunak, the prime minister, will on Monday also announce a separate £200mn investment into a “transformation fund” for Barrow-in-Furness, the Cumbrian town where Britain’s nuclear submarines are built by BAE Systems for the Royal Navy. Barrow has suffered from health inequalities, poor housing and some of the most deprived neighbourhoods in the country despite multiple attempts at lasting regeneration.
The investments come as the government prepares to set out how it plans to sustain and modernise the UK’s nuclear deterrent in a new Defence Command Paper. It follows concerns that ageing infrastructure and a lack of investment were undermining the effectiveness of the deterrent, a cornerstone of Britain’s defence posture.
Ministers were forced last month to declare that the deterrent remained “safe, secure and effective” after a nuclear missile test failed when the Trident weapon crashed into the sea near the submarine that fired it. Adding to the embarrassment, defence secretary Grant Shapps was on board HMS Vanguard to witness the test launch which took place in January.
The Defence Command Paper will detail the government’s plans to bring new Dreadnought-class submarines into service in the early 2030s. The Dreadnoughts are due to replace the current Vanguard-class vessels which were commissioned into service in the mid-1990s.
“Safeguarding the future of our nuclear deterrent and nuclear energy industry is a critical national endeavour,” Sunak will say on a visit to Barrow on Monday. “In a more dangerous and contested world, the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent is more vital than ever.
And nuclear delivers cheaper, cleaner homegrown energy for consumers.” Investments into Britain’s nuclear capabilities and skills — both defence and civil — are seen as vital if the government is to build a new fleet of atomic power stations to bolster its energy security, as well as deliver on the new Dreadnought programme.
The government is also committed to building a new generation of attack submarines under the trilateral Aukus pact with the US and Australia……………………… more https://www.ft.com/content/a276c351-7e48-4662-a9fe-27363ac24a2b
This is why Sizewell C construction poses ‘possible risk’ to new hospital build
Potential obstacles facing construction of new West Suffolk Hospital in
Bury St Edmunds by 2030 include funding shortfall and development of
Sizewell C
A shortfall in funding and a difficulty in finding a contractor
are among the potential obstacles facing plans to build a new hospital in
Bury St Edmunds by 2030. A report, published ahead of the West Suffolk NHS
Foundation Trust (WSFT) board meeting tomorrow, highlighted potential
issues with the Hardwick Manor project.
The building of a new nuclear power
plant, Sizewell C, on the Suffolk coast was mentioned as one of the reasons
finding a contractor could be challenging.
Suffolk News 21st March 2024
Nuclear test veterans demand compensation and medical records access
By Anna Lamche, BBC News, 20 Mar 24
Veterans exposed to radiation during British nuclear tests are calling for the government to create a “special tribunal” to oversee compensation.
The group, who say their lives have been blighted by ill health as a result of the tests, also want access to their missing military medical records.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says no information is withheld from veterans.
But on Tuesday it was threatened with legal proceedings by alleged victims and their families.
Former military personnel and their families served a “letter before action” on the MoD and handed a petition into Downing Street earlier.
Veterans and their families developed cancer, heart problems and even lost babies after the tests – and their children have been born with obvious disabilities, the group claims.
The campaigners have called on the government to establish a “special tribunal” that would investigate, compensate and commemorate alleged victims of the nuclear tests, which took place between 1952 and 1967 in Australia and the South Pacific.
The government is under pressure to act quickly because many of the claimants are now getting older.
The group is demanding access to blood and urine samples taken during the Cold War weapons trials.
Regis
Nuclear test veterans demand compensation and medical records access
By Anna Lamche, BBC News 20 Mar 24
Veterans exposed to radiation during British nuclear tests are calling for the government to create a “special tribunal” to oversee compensation.
The group, who say their lives have been blighted by ill health as a result of the tests, also want access to their missing military medical records.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) says no information is withheld from veterans.
But on Tuesday it was threatened with legal proceedings by alleged victims and their families.
Former military personnel and their families served a “letter before action” on the MoD and handed a petition into Downing Street earlier.
Veterans and their families developed cancer, heart problems and even lost babies after the tests – and their children have been born with obvious disabilities, the group claims
The campaigners have called on the government to establish a “special tribunal” that would investigate, compensate and commemorate alleged victims of the nuclear tests, which took place between 1952 and 1967 in Australia and the South Pacific.
The government is under pressure to act quickly because many of the claimants are now getting older.
The group is demanding access to blood and urine samples taken during the Cold War weapons trials…………………………………………. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68611769
Nuclear power station workers set to walk out in dispute over pay
The union say that the dispute is a result of an ‘inadequate’ pay offer of 4.5%, effective from April 2023.
Caitlyn Dewar, 18 Mar 24, https://news.stv.tv/highlands-islands/dounreay-nuclear-power-station-workers-in-highlands-set-to-walk-out-in-dispute-over-pay
Hundreds of workers at a nuclear power station in the Highlands are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute.
Unite the union confirmed that around 450 members employed by Magnox Limited based at Dounreay power station are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute.
The union say that the dispute is a result of an “inadequate” pay offer of 4.5%, effective from April 2023 which was rejected by 95% in a consultative pay ballot.
Unite said the offer amounts to a substantial real terms pay cut, adding that the true rate of inflation based on the RPI stood at 11.4%.
Unite’s Magnox membership includes craft technicians, general operators, chemical and electrical engineers, and maintenance fitters and safety advisors.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Dounreay workforce are highly-skilled and they undertake an extremely important job.
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Hundreds of workers at a nuclear power station in the Highlands are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute.
Unite the union confirmed that around 450 members employed by Magnox Limited based at Dounreay power station are being balloted for strike action in a pay dispute.
The union say that the dispute is a result of an “inadequate” pay offer of 4.5%, effective from April 2023 which was rejected by 95% in a consultative pay ballot.
Unite said the offer amounts to a substantial real terms pay cut, adding that the true rate of inflation based on the RPI stood at 11.4%.
Unite’s Magnox membership includes craft technicians, general operators, chemical and electrical engineers, and maintenance fitters and safety advisors.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Dounreay workforce are highly-skilled and they undertake an extremely important job.
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“The failure to pay our members a decent pay increase is outrageous, Magnox seems to have money to burn for directors and shareholders but thinks it is acceptable to deny its workers a decent pay increase.”
“Unite will fully support our members at Dounreay power station in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
Magnox Ltd, currently trading as Nuclear Restoration Services, is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
The Dounreay power station is scheduled to be fully decommissioned and cleaned-up in 2033.
The union said that the remuneration package of the highest paid Magnox director went up from £331,000 to £651,000 in March 2023, and the company paid dividends of £2.1m in the same period.
Marc Jackson, Unite industrial officer, added: “Pay negotiations with Magnox have been ongoing since January 2023 with next to no movement by the company. However, Magnox has not been slow in making sure the remuneration packages for directors have been bolstered with the highest paid director seeing their package double in the space of a year.
“Unite’s membership at Dounreay power station will no longer accept these double standards, and that’s why we are balloting our members for strike action.”
Magnox has been contacted for comment.
A chance to break the nuclear links – Kate Hudson, CND
,
https://labouroutlook.org/2024/03/17/a-chance-to-break-the-nuclear-links-kate-hudson-cnd/
“It’s just not possible for the UK to have an independent foreign policy, or defence and security policies, if it remains attached at the hip to the US nuclear programme.”
By Kate Hudson, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)
Whoever is in the White House after the upcoming presidential election, one thing is clear: Britain has to break its ‘special nuclear relationship’ with the US. We’re all familiar with the so-called ‘special relationship’, basically tying Britain into really bad foreign policy decisions. But not so many people know about the US-UK Mutual Defence
Agreement (MDA) – the world’s most extensive nuclear sharing agreement.
Known in full as the ‘Agreement between the UK and the USA for cooperation in the Uses of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defence Purposes’, the treaty initially established an agreement between both countries to exchange classified information to develop their respective nuclear weapon systems.
At the start, the MDA prohibited the transfer of nuclear weapons, but an amendment in 1959 allowed for the transfer of nuclear materials and equipment between both countries up to a certain deadline.
This amendment is extended through a renewal of the treaty every ten years, most recently in2014 – without any parliamentary debate or vote. The British public and parliamentarians initially found out about that extension and ratification when President Obama informed the United States Congress.
Renewing such agreements on the nod, without transparency or accountability, is never a good thing. When it ties us so tightly to nuclear cooperation with the White House this is an even greater cause for concern. The time has come to really vigorously oppose this Agreement.
It also puts us at odds with our commitments under the NPT: the MDA confirms an indefinite commitment by the US and UK to collaborate on nuclear weapons technology and violates both countries’ obligations as signatories to the NPT. The NPT states that countries should undertake ‘to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to… nuclear disarmament’.
Rather than working together to get rid of their nuclear weapons, the UK and US are collaborating on further advancing their nuclear arsenals. Indeed, a 2004 legal advice paper by Rabinder Singh QC and Professor Christine Chinkin concluded that it is ‘strongly arguable that the renewal of the Mutual Defence Agreement is in breach of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty’, as it implies ‘continuation and indeed enhancement of thenuclear programme, not progress towards its discontinuation’.
On every level the MDA must be challenged. It’s just not possible for the UK to have an independent foreign policy, or defence and security policies, if it remains attached at the hip to the US nuclear programme. When the US seems hell-bent on taking us into war after war, unquestioning allegiance from the UK cannot continue.
The MDA is up for renewal again this year. Now is the time to start asking the questions, raising the protest,and making the case for independence. It’s time for the special nuclear relationship to end. Watch this space!
The spending horrors facing UK’s next PM from old nuclear subs to RAAC in schools
Meg Hillier warned that the next Government will face many spending ‘big nasties’ that will eat up already stretched budgets
The spending horrors facing the next PM from old nuclear subs to RAAC in
schools. Meg Hillier warned that the next Government will face many
spending ‘big nasties’ that will eat up already stretched budgets.
The influential chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has warned of the
“big nasties” of public spending that face the next Government. In an
interview with i, Labour MP Meg Hillier warned that there wasn’t
“nearly enough good project management” in Government to ensure that
the numerous issues she’s identified, from crumbling hospitals to an out
of service a nuclear submarine fleet, are dealt with.
The UK also needs to
consider how it will safely dispose of its fleet of retired nuclear
submarines, a job that is expected to be very costly for the Ministry of
Defence. The current Vanguard class of submarines are due to be phased out
by 2032 and replaced by the Dreadnought class, and it was estimated in 2016
that the renewal of the programme could cost between £167bn and £179bn
over its 30-year life span.
iNews 17th March 2024
https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/spending-horrors-facing-next-prime-minister-2960825
UK government plans to block foreign control of newspapers – what about foreign control of Sizewell nuclear project ?
Telegraph ruling raises questions over Sizewell funding
The government plans to block foreign control of newspapers – what about physical infrastructure?
Questions are being raised about the government’s willingness to allow essential physical infrastructure to fall into the hands of foreign states but not newspapers.
Government minister Lord Parkinson told the House of Lords yesterday: “We will amend the media merger regime explicitly to rule out newspaper and periodical news magazine mergers involving ownership, influence or control by foreign states.”
Legislation is being introduced specifically to prevent The Telegraph newspaper group from being bought by RedBird IMI, a fund backed by the United Arab Emirates.
It is not yet clear, however, how far the new law could stretch. The intention is that it applies only to newspapers and news magazines. But are they really more important than water companies, electricity companies and power stations?
The Chinese state was allowed to have an influence in the development of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station but has been blocked from further involvement in the UK nuclear programme amid security concerns.
However, the UK government has been wooing the UAE to step in to help fund Sizewell C in place of China.
Campaigners against Sizewell C see the Telegraph intervention as grounds to block UAE investment in British nuclear power, on the basis that nuclear power stations must be at least as important to national security as newspapers.
“If the government is prepared to ban foreign state ownership of newspapers because of the UAE’s bid for the Telegraph, ministers must now block UAE investment in Sizewell C in the interests of national security. That deal should also be dead in the water: there is no place in our critical national infrastructure for a regime that does not share our views and values,” said a spokesperson for Stop Sizewell C.
There already exists legislation that could be used to prevent a foreign state having influence in critical infrastructure – the National Security & Investment Act 2021 and the National Security Act 2023 have sought to respond to foreign state interference.
Lord Parkinson told parliament yesterday: “We intend to expand on the current definition of ‘foreign powers’ used in the National Security Act 2023 to ensure a broad definition that also covers officers of foreign governments acting in a private capacity and investing their private wealth.”
That could put the skids under a whole host of utility companies.
However, rather blurring the message, the minister concluded: “I should note that the government remain committed to encouraging and supporting investment into the United Kingdom and recognise that investors deploying capital into this country rely on the predictability and consistency of our regulatory regime. The UK remains one of the most open economies in the world, which is key for the prosperity and future growth of our nation. Our focus here is not on foreign investment in the UK media sector in general; this new regime is targeted and will apply only to foreign states, foreign state bodies and connected individuals, and only to newspapers and news magazines.”
‘Don’t hold your breath’ – people living in Wylfa’s shadow have say on development plans
The UK Government recently announced it had bought the Anglesey site from Hitachi
North Wales Live, David Powell, Court reporter, 17 Mar 24
People living near the Wylfa power station on Anglesey have greeted the prospect of a fresh development at the site with excitement, anxiety and pessimism. Last week the UK Government announced that a £160m deal had been reached with Hitachi to buy sites at Wylfa and Oldbury in Gloucestershire – with a final sign off expected this summer.
The minister for nuclear Andrew Bowie says this is not another “false dawn” for Wylfa and that he was “supremely confident” that new nuclear would be developed at the site. North Wales Live this week visited nearby Cemaes to gauge opinions from people in the village on the proposals.
Cemaes resident William Huw Edwards, 80, used to work as a contractor atRio Tinto
, which ran Anglesey Aluminium, and on the runway at RAF Valley. He remembers disruption during construction work for the current Wylfa power station.
“There used to be two or three lorries at a time in convoys,” he recalled. As for the prospect of a new nuclear development, he said: “A lot of people are against it because of the traffic and the noise.”
He added: “It’s going to cost a lot and they will have to find the money.” He doubts it will be in the near future, saying: “It won’t be soon. Don’t hold your breath.”
But another resident Julie Clemence, 63, would support a new nuclear operation if it were smaller than its predecessor. “The American ones are really huge but I would support it if it’s smaller and less of a blot on the landscape than now,” she said.
………………………………………………………… Dylan Morgan, of Pobl Atal Wylfa B (PAWB), a campaign group against the proposal, said: “This government and anyone following it will face the same challenges regarding attracting any large new private investment to develop reactors at Wylfa or any other site in the global context of a shrinking nuclear industry.
“At the same time, renewable technologies are galloping ahead every year to take an increasing share of the worldwide electricity market.” He claimed 20 years has been “wasted” when money and resources could have been spent developing renewable energy…………………………………….
Meanwhile Katie Hayward, of Felin Honeybees, has said she is “completely broken” after learning the site might be redeveloped after she battled the proposed Wylfa B site for years.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dont-hold-your-breath-people-28797236—
HSBC leads Sizewell C investment push as time ticks on final investment decision
Britain’s largest bank by market capitalisation is trying to rally an effort to push a final investment decision over the line for the delayed Sizewell C nuclear super project.
According to a Bloomberg report today, HSBC is discussing the possibility with investment funds to provide a debt facility that would be guaranteed by the UK’s export finance agency.
The report said that people familiar with the matter said the move would help the project, Sizewell C, which in January received government approval to begin the process of building the site, due to take nine years to complete.
But delays have come thick and fast due to inflationary cost rises and the logistical challenges involved with building a massive nuclear power station, so much so that the project is now scoped for a bill with the potential to reach £40bn.
The UK government is working in tandem with Barclays to find equity investors for the project in the hope of reaching a final investment decision this year, with gas giant Centrica having declared an interest.
Sizewell C was proposed by a consortium of EDF Energy and China General Nuclear Power Group, which own 80 per cent and 20 per cent of the project respectively.
The site, along with the also-delayed multi-billion pound Hinkley Point C and another planned major reactor that was unveiled in the nuclear strategy back in January, will form the backbone of the UK’s nuclear energy drive.
Complimenting the large projects, which are estimated to be able to provide power for around six million people each, are small module reactor programmes to be taken up by private investors.
In recent months, the UK government has reportedly been wooing the United Arab Emirates to step in to help fund Sizewell C in place of China.
However the National Security & Investment Act 2021 and the National Security Act 2023 could prove barriers to any foreign state gaining influence through investment in critical infrastructure.
In Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget last week, he announced a £160m deal with Japanese technology giant Hitachi to buy back two sites on which the latter had committed to build power stations.
UK Steps Up Sizewell Nuclear Push With State-Backed Loans
Mar 14, 2024, William Mathis and Priscila Azevedo Rocha, Bloomberg News, https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/uk-steps-up-sizewell-nuclear-push-with-state-backed-loans-1.2046821
HSBC Holdings Plc is in talks with investment funds about loans to help to finance the construction of the UK’s Sizewell C nuclear plant, as the government steps up efforts to get a key energy project off the drawing board this year.
The bank is in discussions with funds to provide the debt that would be guaranteed by the country’s export finance agency, according to people familiar with the matter. That would help Sizewell offset risks of financing a long-term project, while securing cheaper capital, the people said, asking not to be identified as the negotiations are private.
HSBC, Sizewell and UK Export Finance all declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the development of the project’s commercial structure is subject to sensitive discussions
Securing state-guaranteed funding would be an important milestone for a project that could cost more than £40 billion ($51 billion). The UK government has vowed to get as much as 25% of the country’s power from nuclear plants in coming years as part of a push to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Declining output from Britain’s fleet of aging reactors means new plants will be needed by the end of the decade.
So far, the only one under construction is Electricite de France SA’s Hinkley Point C. That plant has been repeatedly delayed, while the projected budget has ballooned to as high as £47.9 billion.
The UK government is working with Barclays Plc to drum up equity investors for the Sizewell project, with bids due later this year. Centrica Plc is seen as a potential anchor investor, with Chief Executive Officer Chris O’Shea saying the company has been in talks with the government.
HSBC is working for Sizewell C Ltd., the operating company set up by EDF to build the copy of Hinkley. The second project should cost less than its forerunner, according to EDF.
The UK has gradually increased its own exposure to Sizewell C, boosting investment in the project to more than £2 billion earlier this year to become the majority shareholder. The government is taking on more construction risk than it did for Hinkley, as it trials a different approach to financing to try to get new projects over the line.
The huge costs involved make it tricky. In 2019, the government offered to take a third of the equity in a £20 billion project in Wales, and provide all the debt during construction plus guaranteed power prices. That wasn’t enough to convince the developer Hitachi Ltd. to proceed.
With assistance from Jessica Shankleman and Francois de Beaupuy.
Dounreay workers vote on strike action after pay talks stall
https://www.gmbscotland.org.uk/newsroom/gmb-scotland-ballot-at-dounreay.html 13 Mar 24
Workers at Dounreay nuclear site are being balloted on industrial action after long-running pay talks stalled.
Members of GMB Scotland and other unions are voting on industrial action including working to rule, overtime bans and strikes after a pay offer was overwhelmingly rejected.
Discussions with management at the Caithness site have been continuing for 18 months and Keir Greenaway, GMB senior organiser in public services, said workers cannot be expected to wait any longer for a fair offer.
He said: “This delay would be unacceptable at any time but when our members have been enduring an unprecedented cost of living crisis, it is beyond the pale.
“Managers insist they are bound by civil service rules but have chosen not to seek exemption from those rules for their own reasons.
“We have heard a lot of words but seen no action by management and words do not pay our members’ bills.
“They deserve to see a fair pay offer urgently and will take whatever action is necessary to secure one. Enough is enough.”
Dounreay joined Magnox Ltd last year and then became part of Nuclear Restoration Services, which is responsible for the clean-up of the Caithness site and 11 others across the UK.
A ballot on industrial action by GMB Scotland, Unite and Prospect members is now open and will continue for three weeks.
1 This Month
of the week– Nuclear Reactor Information Task Force
14 May – online event From Bombs to Data Centres: the Face of Nuclear Colonialism
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