Unions urge government to give go-ahead for Sizewell C in Suffolk

Unions have called on the government to give the go ahead for Suffolk's Sizewell C nuclear plant.

The General Secretaries of energy unions Prospect and the GMB have written to Sir Keir Starmer urging him to give the green light to the project.

The unions say that the final investment decision (FID) on the major infrastructure project is set to "unlock thousands of jobs, as well as deliver secure clean power for generations to come".

But the scheme's opponents have claimed the project will be slow to build, destroy the protected landscape and damage the tourism economy along Suffolk's coast.

General secretaries Mike Clancy of Prospect and Gary Smith of the GMB said: "In a time of increasing global uncertainty, Sizewell C is pivotal in helping the UK meet its net-zero targets, delivering sustainable energy, and strengthening the economy.

"The final investment decision (FID) has already been delayed, and we are now at a critical point in which a decision needs to be made to ensure a seamless transition of workers and supply chains from Hinkley Point C.

"Any delay risks demobilising the workforce and supply chain, which could lead to unnecessary construction delays, increased costs, and an impact on the economic benefits the project offers the UK."

In August, the government announced a new scheme which will unlock billions of pounds to support building the nuclear power station.

At the time, a Stop Sizewell C spokesperson said: "At a time when the overarching message from the Labour government is that there is no money, this is an extraordinary statement.

"Sizewell C has already chewed through £2.5bn, and now we learn that there is the potential for a staggering £5.5bn more of our taxpayers' money to be thrown at this white elephant.

"Labour complained about a black hole in the country's finances yet now they are proposing to dig still further. Where would this cash come from?"

The unions are urging the government to give the project the green light at the government's investment summit on Monday.

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