The GMB union, said it was ‘momentous’ and vital if the UK is to hit net zero, having long campaigned for Sizewell C.
Warren Kenny, GMB Regional Secretary, said: “This is a momentous announcement. Sizewell C is absolutely vital for the UK’s energy security. Nuclear power is essential for clean, affordable, and reliable energy – without new nuclear there can be no net zero.
“Sizewell C will provide thousands of good, skilled, unionised jobs and we look forward to working closely with the Government and Sizewell C to help secure a greener future for this country’s energy sector.”
“Support for Sizewell C represents an important step towards ensuring that we have the infrastructure needed to meet the country’s long-term energy needs.
“The government is also right to recognise that pace of delivery matters. We are at a critical moment. The backdrop of global political challenges and the impacts of climate change mean nuclear power has never been more vital.
“Nuclear power provides a stable, carbon-free energy source, enhancing energy security through readily available fuel supplies and UK-based infrastructure.
“Beyond this, the nuclear sector is a huge contributor to the UK economy, supporting around 87,000 jobs, with up to 40,000 net new entrants needed by 2030 to keep pace with the growth of the sector. “
Sam Richards, CEO of pro-growth campaign group Britain Remade, said:
“This new funding for Sizewell C is a vital step toward delivering the secure, domestic clean energy that nuclear power provides. But if we’re serious about energy security, hitting net zero, and reindustrialising our economy, the government must go much further.
“New nuclear projects in Britain still take far too long and cost far too much to build. If we want new nuclear to be delivered faster and more affordably, we need to cut bureaucratic red tape, speed up the planning process, and show a real commitment to building a genuine fleet of nuclear power stations – similar to the successful approach taken by South Korea who are able to build nuclear power stations six times cheaper than we do. Britain once led the world in nuclear energy; there’s no reason we can’t do it again.”
Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich and the Government’s East of England Mission Champion, added: “I am delighted the Chancellor has announced funding for Sizewell C – this is something I have been pressing the Government on for some time.
“The Chancellor’s decision will be a major catalyst to the growth of our local, regional, and national economy, kickstarting the creation of thousands of well-paid, skilled, and secure jobs and generating billions of pounds for our economy. “
But campaigners living next to the proposed site say the decision is big mistake that will cost the public not just billions but provide no real benefit to reducing energy costs.
Alison Downes of Stop Sizewell C said: “There still appears to be no Final Investment Decision for Sizewell C, but £14.2bn in taxpayers’ funding, a decision we condemn and firmly believethe government will come to regret. Where is the benefit for voters in ploughing more money into Sizewell C that could be spent on other priorities, and when the project will add to consumer bills and is guaranteed to be late and overspent just like Hinkley C?
“With the continued secrecy about Sizewell C’s total cost, how can voters decide whether the £18 billion pledged to Sizewell C is a good use of their money? There is no dispute the project will add to consumer bills during construction, and it is virtually guaranteed to be late and overspent just like Hinkley C.
“Keir Starmer may think that jumping on this dodgy bandwagon will somehow revive his flagging popularity, but he only has to look in whose footsteps he is following with this ‘pilgrimage’ to the Suffolk coast – Boris Johnson and Kwasi Kwarteng to name just two.”
