The announcement of a restructure at NuGeneration, the company behind the planned Moorside nuclear power station in Cumbria, is a sign that the government must step up its commitment to the new nuclear project, the leading trade union for nuclear workers has warned.

The government's nuclear sector deal published in June included commitments to invest in the next generation of nuclear, however industry and unions have been critical of the government's reluctance to take a more active role in backing projects like Moorside.

Prospect senior deputy general secretary Sue Ferns said: “Despite the welcome nuclear sector deal, it is increasingly clear that the government needs to do far more to reassure the nuclear industry and support them in developing the next generation of low carbon energy sources in the UK.

“Not only is the nuclear sector critical for the future UK energy mix, the Moorside project has the potential to be the cornerstone of the Cumbrian economy for a generation, securing the high skilled jobs that are the bedrock for the local community, and ensuring the skills and expertise developed at Sellafield are not lost.

“The government must now take a more active role to make good on the promises set out in the sector deal by working with the NuGen team to secure the future of Moorside.”