THE redundancy scheme at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) site in Dounreay is affecting its safety record, according to an SNP MSP.
Gail Ross is demanding assurances on safety from the UK Government after the latest annual NDA report stated that the site is struggling with maintaining safety and performance.
The MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross said she is in regular dialogue with management and staff at the site and stressed that, while the report – released last month – contains many positives, she is seriously concerned over the environmental and safety record in the past year at Dounreay.
The NDA is a non-departmental public body that reports to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), though it is also responsible to Scottish ministers for some aspects of its work north of the Border.
“I’m very concerned that the redundancy policy they currently have is still being pursued, despite this report stating that the site is struggling with maintaining safety and performance,” Ross said.
“Surely the most sensible route to ensure safe operation would be to retain as many highly skilled and experienced staff as they are able.”
“Nuclear waste is not something which can be dealt with on the cheap, regardless of the location of it. The UK Government must support Dounreay to ensure that the decommissioning process is as safe as it can be, regardless of cost.”
She added that the communities of Caithness and North Sutherland must be engaged with meaningfully to ensure that decisions which are being made on the decommissioning process are explained and understood.
“Reading this report, it’s hard to fathom why the number of jobs has been reduced at the site when there is clearly a lot more work to be completed,” she said. “Public anxiety about nuclear pollution, whether well founded or not, could have a serious impact on the prospects of these resource-based industries.”
A BEIS spokesperson said: “The NDA continues to monitor progress at the Dounreay site closely to ensure that it is delivering high quality work and that it remains value for money.”
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