Nuclear industry desperately needs clarity from new Government says Nuclear Industry Association
Nuclear Industry Association response to the General Election result.
The Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) has called on the next Government, whatever its formation, to return to business as quickly as possible, and resolve the key Euratom question for the nuclear sector to ensure a Brexit cliff edge for the industry is avoided.
Brexit is a key challenge for the nuclear sector and resolving the Euratom issue should be an immediate priority for incoming Ministers. The NIA recently launched a paper, setting out the priority areas for the negotiations with the European Commission to support the UK Government, should it decide to withdraw from Euratom as part of the Brexit process.
Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association said:
“This election was called to resolve the direction of Brexit but its outcome has cast serious doubt over the future. In this situation, industry desperately needs clarity and the new Government, whatever form it takes, must resolve the critical and complicated Euratom issue.
“If current policy is maintained, which would see the UK withdraw from Euratom, the new Government must, as a matter of urgency, look to ensure alternative arrangements are in place as soon as possible to avoid a damaging cliff edge.
“The clock is ticking towards March 2019, and without equivalent new arrangements, the exponential economic growth potential of the UK’s nuclear programme could well be lost.”
