MP speaks up for nuclear industry

WARRINGTON South MP David Mowat has called on the Government to make a long term commitment to Britain’s civil nuclear industry in order to keep energy bills down and reduce carbon emissions.
What is good for the nuclear industry is also good for Warrington, he said.
The government recently signed a deal for a new reactor at Hinkley Point in Somerset, but Mr Mowat said that that should be the minimum benchmark for the industry.
The alternative would be either rising energy bills or rising carbon emissions.
Mr Mowat called for:
•An increase in the budget for nuclear research and development
•A rolling programme of new nuclear reactors using a variety of different designs
•A focus on creating a world-leading civil nuclear industry in Britain able to export its skills abroad, rather than having to rely on foreign expertise.
Mr Mowat said: “A new fleet of reactors will mean lots of new highly skilled science and engineering jobs, particularly in places where the skills already exist – like Warrington.
“Our town has a proud association with the nuclear industry and the recent announcement by AMEC of 300 new nuclear jobs in Birchwood shows that what is good for nuclear is good for Warrington.
“If we are serious about cutting our carbon emissions, but don’t want to see our bills rising, we have to get serious about using low-carbon but non-renewable sources like nuclear and shale gas in preference to coal and oil.”