The Sellafield site must be redeveloped to home new small modular reactors, GMB has told the Energy Secretary.
In a letter to the Energy Secretary, the union calls for urgent negotiations to address the uncertain future of the site and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) budget.
Sellafield, home to the world’s largest stockpile of plutonium at more than 140 tonnes, plays a critical role in the UK’s energy and security needs.
However, budget pressures and a lack of strategic planning are putting safety, jobs, and the community’s future at risk, the union warns.
GMB urges Labour to support a clear vision for Sellafield, including new nuclear developments like Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) at Moorside, to secure sustainable, skilled jobs.
The union also demands a long-overdue national debate on managing the UK’s plutonium stockpile and action to address inefficiencies in the site’s management, including investment in training and local supply chains.
Dan Gow, GMB Senior Organiser, said:
“Sellafield is at a crossroads.
“Without urgent action, budget pressures and poor planning risk undermining the safety of the UK’s largest plutonium stockpile and the future of a community that has served the national interest for decades.
"GMB is clear: we need a proper strategy for Sellafield’s long-term role, investment in skilled jobs, and a real seat at the table for workers and the community.
“Anything less is a betrayal of both public safety and the workforce who keep this vital site running.”
