Latest news with #SellafieldLtd
Irish Times
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Times
‘Simply not good enough': MPs concerned by ‘intolerable risks' at Sellafield site
'Intolerable risks' at the most hazardous parts of the Sellafield nuclear site are being exacerbated by poor performance, substandard equipment and staff shortages that make the facility even more dangerous, according to a report by MPs in Westminster. The UK's public accounts committee (PAC) also raised concerns about the proliferation of non-disclosure agreements to settle staff whistle-blowing complaints about safety and bullying at the site, located on the Cumbrian coast about 170km from Ireland. It said safety concerns and galloping cost overruns were 'simply not good enough'. The committee has released a report on the £136 billion (€162 billion) clean-up job at Sellafield, a former reprocessing and power plant that now essentially operates as a nuclear dump. It said the clean-up of the site is too slow and management keeps missing targets. It highlighted problems at decrepit buildings such as the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS), which has leaked hazardous nuclear pondwater into the soil for seven years. The committee said it was enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool every three years. READ MORE The committee accused Sellafield Ltd, the company that operates the site on behalf of the British state, of 'underperformance' by taking too long to clear crumbling old buildings such as the MSSS. Its report said the 'consequence of this underperformance is that the buildings are likely to remain extremely hazardous for longer'. It complained that the timeline given by the company for clearing Sellafield's most dangerous buildings has slipped by 13 years since 2018. The leaking MSSS is being slowly emptied of its lethal material, but the PAC said it needs to be removed 24 times faster than it was last year within a decade, if it is to hit targets. [ Inside Sellafield: behind the razor wire, gun-toting guards and blast barriers at the toxic nuclear site Opens in new window ] 'The intolerable risks presented by Sellafield's ageing infrastructure are truly world-class,' said Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the Tory MP who chairs the PAC. 'When visiting the site, it is impossible not to be struck by the fact that one can be standing in what is surely one of the most hazardous places in the world.' The PAC found that management needs to 'fundamentally transform how the site functions'. It is already estimated the clean-up of the site will take at least 100 years. Sellafield told the PAC it had made progress in some areas. The report also warned management must do more to 'build a culture where all employees feel able to raise concerns and report poor behaviour'. The PAC was told the company had used non-disclosure agreements 16 times in the last three years when settling staff claims. [ Nuclear accident in UK or Europe could significantly contaminate food in Ireland, EPA told Government Opens in new window ] Alison McDermott, a former executive at Sellafield who fought a legal battle with the company after she made a whistle-blowing complaint about safety and bullying, said the PAC report 'vindicates everything I said' about a 'toxic and dangerous' culture at Sellafield. She said 'Ireland is not safe' due to the way the site is run: 'This is not a British problem – it's a threat to everyone across the Irish Sea. The Irish Government must wake up.' The Irish Government once sued Britain over safety fears at Sellafield. It is believed the State made no submissions to the UK's PAC as part of its latest inquiry into the site.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Apprentices raise £1,500 for life saving charity
Nuclear apprentices have put teamwork into action to support a vital heart health charity, raising £1,500 for the cause. The Sellafield Ltd apprentices, who are trained by Lakes College, raised £1,500 for Logan and Gary's Lions Heart Fund, a lifesaving initiative that funds heart screenings in memory of two beloved figures from the rugby league community. The fundraising took place during National Apprenticeship Week and involved the Sellafield Ltd nuclear apprentices who are based at Energus. Divided into groups, they were tasked with developing creative and sustainable fundraising ideas - ranging from games to products - with all proceeds going to the charity. Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington, attended the event, chatting with the apprentices and taking part in the activities. Lakes College Principal Chris Nattress praised the fundraising, saying: 'Seeing young people work together in teams is great, but to see them doing it for such a worthy cause is just amazing. 'Supporting heart screening for adolescents is so important, and this kind of initiative really makes a difference. Well done to everyone involved.' Logan Holgate was a Sellafield Ltd apprentice when he tragically passed away aged 18. His aunt Lisa Powe was presented the cheque at Energus, where the current apprentices train. Lisa said: 'We rely on donations, and what the apprentices have done is even more special because Logan almost started his career here. It's lovely to see people at Lakes College supporting the fund.' She added: 'The money raised goes directly to providing heart screenings for people aged 16 and over. There are young people out there with undiagnosed conditions, and this screening can save lives.' Helen Graham, social impact manager at Lakes College said: 'The learners and staff really put so much effort into the project and should be incredibly proud of the amount they raised for such a good cause.'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Galleon summer visit receives welcome boost from Spanish company
ORGANISERS of an upcoming tall ship visit have received a welcome boost from a Spanish company working in West Cumbria. The Galeón Andalucia - an enormous replica Spanish galleon - will sail into Whitehaven Harbour this summer. Asturfeito, a Spanish company working in the nuclear sector alongside major sponsors Sellafield Ltd and Amentum, have agreed to be the first sponsor of a school coach trip to the Galleon. The school they are supporting is Distington Community School and the support helps reduce the overall cost to the parents and school. The gun deck inside the Spanish Galleon which will be open to visitors when the ship arrives in Whitehaven Harbour (Image: Submitted) Álvaro Zarza, business development manager, said: 'As a company with strong ties to both Spain and the UK, we are pleased to support an initiative that brings history to life in an engaging and meaningful way for local students. 'Contributing to the communities in which we operate is part of our identity, and we are especially pleased to support this very special initiative.' Whitehaven Town Council who are coordinating the visit with Gerard Richardson DL said: 'We are delighted with this support for a really good local school and we would welcome more sponsors to come forward. 'Depending on the distance from the school to the town, the costs vary from just under £200 to about £250 and if any more companies can assist, please contact gerard@ "We are also looking for a sponsor to assist with the cost of a shore power generator for this exciting project.' The Spanish Galleon pictured in front of the New York skyline (Image: NAO Foundation) The enormous replica Spanish galleon is a floating museum that faithfully recreates those used by the Spanish fleet throughout the 16th to 18th centuries. It is due into port on July 9 and will be open until Sunday, July 13. Any schools who wish to arrange visits should contact Mr Richardson on the email address above or clerk@
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gender pay gap increases at nuclear site
The gender pay gap at the UK's largest nuclear site has increased, a report has found. Latest figures showed the average (medium) pay gap at Sellafield rose from 13.65% in 2023 to 19.62% in 2024. Sellafield Ltd said it was "disappointed" at the figures and said it was "due to the combination of long-term gender distribution across grades and the impact of complex payment practices". The Cumbria-based company, which is funded by the government, also said it had already taken "significant steps to improve representation" since data for the Gender Pay Gap Report was collected. The report was released last week as part of legal obligations for organisations with 250 or more employees. Both the mean and median pay gaps at Sellafield Ltd increased in 2024. A median gender pay gap illustrates the difference between how much the middle-ranking man and middle-ranking woman earn. In 2021 the medium gap was 11.22%, and 2022 it was 11.32%. The company said it had recruited women into key executive roles to address the gap. It also said it had "introduced greater pay alignment" between employees who had previously been engaged on different terms and conditions of employment in October 2024. The pay gap is different to unequal pay - paying women less for the same work - which is illegal. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Leak is Sellafield's 'biggest environmental issue' Nuclear site warns £2.8bn budget is 'not enough' Nuclear site runs up 'considerable' costs - report Sellafield
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Gender pay gap increased at Sellafield nuclear site, report finds
The gender pay gap at the UK's largest nuclear site has increased, a report has found. Latest figures showed the average (medium) pay gap at Sellafield rose from 13.65% in 2023 to 19.62% in 2024. Sellafield Ltd said it was "disappointed" at the figures and said it was "due to the combination of long-term gender distribution across grades and the impact of complex payment practices".The Cumbria-based company, which is funded by the government, also said it had already taken "significant steps to improve representation" since data for the Gender Pay Gap Report was collected. The report was released last week as part of legal obligations for organisations with 250 or more the mean and median pay gaps at Sellafield Ltd increased in 2024.A median gender pay gap illustrates the difference between how much the middle-ranking man and middle-ranking woman 2021 the medium gap was 11.22%, and 2022 it was 11.32%.The company said it had recruited women into key executive roles to address the gap. It also said it had "introduced greater pay alignment" between employees who had previously been engaged on different terms and conditions of employment in October pay gap is different to unequal pay - paying women less for the same work - which is illegal. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
