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Inaugural ‘Nuclear Week In Parliament’ will broaden South West business horizons

By Andy Bates, Nuclear South West

The very first ‘Nuclear Week In Parliament’ takes place in September and people from across the South West nuclear industry are being invited to head to Westminster to boost business activity.

Organised by the Nuclear Industry Association, the inaugural event, which begins on Monday, September 13, provides a valuable chance for us to learn more about the exciting opportunities that nuclear energy presents across the UK as well as export prospects.

And while it might be taking place in the corridors of power in the capital, there are bound to be many familiar faces, including local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger who is also Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Nuclear Energy.

The Bridgwater and West Somerset MP will host the ‘British Nuclear Industrial and Export Showcase Reception’ on Wednesday September 15 (12noon-3pm) which will help participants identify areas of potential growth, here in the UK and overseas.

Beforehand, APPG vice-chair Trudy Harrison MP will host a welcome reception in the Churchill Room, on the Monday (7pm) when the theme will be ‘Net Zero Needs Nuclear’.

A ‘Nuclear Skills and Apprenticeships Fair’ will be hosted by APPG Co-Chair Charlotte Nichols MP the following afternoon (12.30pm-4pm) at the QEII Centre, focusing on nuclear opportunities for the next generation

As COP26 fast approaches, the first ‘Nuclear Week In Parliament’ is timely because nuclear is the most powerful, efficient and jobs-rich form of low-carbon energy we can use to hit net zero.

With the construction of Hinkley Point C moving forward and EDF’s EPR Design Centre in Bristol attracting elite advanced engineers, the South West will play a key role in the nation’s clean energy transition.

As well as combating climate change, nuclear is also key to levelling up the economy and building back better from the pandemic with high-quality green jobs spread widely providing a gross value added twice the national average.

The South West nuclear sector is increasingly important from economic and social perspectives and that is why ‘Nuclear Week In Parliament’ is such a welcome initiative.

Anyone interested in attending, should contact Nuclear Industry Association Public Affairs Executive Tom Brook via tom.brook@niauk.org to book a place.