Oct 26 2006
The future of BNFL's nuclear clean-up and research arms were today outlined by the Government, as it approved plans to break up and sell off British Nuclear Group and announced its intention to establish a new National Nuclear Laboratory.
Accepting the joint recommendation of the Boards of BNFL and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Ministers have agreed that, in order to safeguard the interests of the taxpayer and ensure the best solution for the company, its workers and the market in nuclear clean-up, BNG should be split up before being sold off.
Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, said today:
"I have given the sale of BNG careful consideration and I have met with interested parties. I have concluded that there are real benefits to the Project Services and the Magnox businesses in separating them from the process of choosing the right contractor for Sellafield.
"I also believe that the best way of securing the right contractor for Sellafield is to proceed with a separate competition with the full focus on what is best at that site. That process will be run by the NDA, and the criteria it is setting will include, first-rate health, safety, security and environmental performance, and effectiveness as a contractor.
Ministers have also announced the intention to establish a new National Nuclear Laboratory, to be formed out of the British Technology Centre at Sellafield and Nexia Solutions, the research company currently owned by BNFL. The Laboratory will play a central part in safeguarding the necessary skills for the UK's civil nuclear industry.
Alistair Darling continued:
"We have looked at how to best safeguard the UK's key nuclear R&D skills and capabilities to ensure that our future requirements are met.
"The National Nuclear Laboratory will play a key role in supporting the UK's R&D requirements, and operate world-class facilities. As the market for the provision for R&D skills develops, the NNL will ensure key skills are safeguarded and enhanced, part of which will entail the NNL playing a key role in the development of the UK's R&D supply base.'
http://www.gnn.gov.uk