The West Cumbria community does not get the most from the nuclear sector, according to the former boss of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. In the third and final instalment in a series of exclusive interviews with in-Cumbria, John Clarke – who was chief executive at the NDA for five years – said the region still suffered from having “haves and have nots” despite hosting an industry that bringing more than £1 billion into the economy each year. And while Mr Clark admitted the challenge of making nuclear money “stick” in the county was tough, he believes communities and businesses can do more to ensure they benefit from the economic impact of the sector. “As a community we have a lot of people who are well paid, and if you work at Sellafield, you’re well paid – it doesn’t matter what job you do. If you’re a business in the supply chain, you’re well paid too. “But we have still got haves and have nots. You have a council – Copeland Council – on its knees financially, but with one of the UK’s biggest industrial complexes in its environs. That doesn’t feel right to me.” Mr Clarke said Sellafield was a “double-edged sword in terms of competitiveness” because high wages raised wage expectations – a situation that he believes is deterring inward investment.
In Cumbria 28th Jan 2019 read more »
