Commenting on the potential for civil nuclear energy to continue being generated on the Torness power station site after the current plant ceases generation, Douglas Alexander MP said:

“Clearly, Torness has been a significant local employer, providing many hundreds of skilled jobs and apprenticeships for people in Dunbar and the wider area since 1988.

“It also supports further jobs and the local economy through its supply chain and use of contract workers.

“As it approaches the end of its lifetime, many staff at Torness will be involved in the process of defuelling and decommissioning the plant which will take several years.

“EDF has experience of this at other sites, including Hunterston B, and I’m sure it will be working with trade unions and other partners to support staff through the various phases of its closure in the coming years.

“However, I also hope to see a change in the Scottish Government’s current block on new nuclear projects in Scotland to allow for the possibility of the Torness site having a longer-term future in providing skilled jobs and generating clean, consistent nuclear power.”