November Plenary in Morecambe

25 November 2025

In Morecambe, Lancashire, just a stone’s throw from Heysham nuclear power station, TUSNE held its final plenary of the year. It provided an important opportunity to reflect on the progress made across the civil nuclear sector this year and to look ahead to the challenges and opportunities that lie before it. 

Across the meeting, delegates explored the priorities of their members and the issues affecting workers on nuclear sites, from long-term skills planning to ensuring fair employment conditions as the sector continues to grow. Representatives also discussed nuclear development in Wales, particularly the landmark announcement that Great British Energy-Nuclear will work with Rolls-Royce SMR to deploy SMRs at Wylfa. With Wales now playing a central role in the UK’s civil nuclear renaissance, unions were keen to ensure that opportunities for workers are maximised and that local communities fully benefit.

Attention also turned to Scotland, where the scheduled closure of Torness in the coming years raises serious questions about energy security and the future of the skilled workforce. Delegates explored the need for a clear path to new nuclear in Scotland to protect jobs and maintain specialist expertise. The plenary also examined the current status of geological disposal facility development in the UK, alongside wider discussion on the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, including AMRs, SMRs and fusion, which will shape the future of the industry for decades to come.

We were pleased to welcome two external speakers. Lizzi Collinge MP joined the session to provide a candid update on her work in Parliament advocating for a new Heysham nuclear plant. She spoke about the importance of modernising regulation to attract investment and protect workers, ensuring that communities like Morecambe can continue to thrive. Leon Flexman from X-energy also gave a detailed overview of the company’s growing presence in the UK, including plans for development at Hartlepool in partnership with Centrica.

It was fantastic to host trade union representatives in Morecambe, a community that has long been central to the UK’s nuclear story. As we look ahead, TUSNE remains committed to ensuring the government continues to deliver for the more than 98,000 workers who keep the UK’s civil nuclear sector safe, skilled and world-leading.