Building a nuclear future that works for West Cumbria

The publication of the Government’s Advanced Nuclear Framework is exactly the kind of news West Cumbria has been waiting for.

For years, our businesses, our workforce and our communities have been ready to play a central role in the UK’s clean energy future. What has often been missing is clarity – clarity for investors, for developers and for the supply chain that underpins the nuclear sector. This Framework provides that clarity and in doing so unlocks a real opportunity for Pioneer Park and for West Cumbria as a whole.

The government’s commitment to a clear route to market for advanced nuclear, combined with concierge-style support for credible projects, sends a strong signal -  advanced nuclear is moving from ambition to delivery. The fact that Pioneer Park is already identified as a priority site puts West Cumbria firmly in the driving seat.

But frameworks and sites alone do not deliver success. What matters now is how we maximise this opportunity for our local supply chain – the small and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of our regional economy and the foundation of long-term value.

That is precisely why BECBC published our white paper earlier this year.

The white paper captures the unified voice of Cumbria’s SME community. It sets out, clearly and practically, what local businesses need in place to deliver not just Pioneer Park, but four nationally significant missions: nuclear decommissioning at Sellafield, the Geological Disposal Facility programme, submarine production at Barrow, and the emerging clean energy opportunity at Pioneer Park.

The message from our members is consistent. West Cumbria has the capability, experience and ambition to deliver advanced nuclear. What is required now is coordination, leadership and a joined-up approach to growth.

Our white paper identifies five interconnected priorities that must be addressed if we are to make a success of this moment.

First, we need to support the growth of medium-sized businesses to build a more resilient supply chain. Too many capable local firms struggle to scale because existing systems inadvertently penalise growth. If we want to retain value locally, we must help home-grown businesses move up the value chain.

Second, unified leadership matters. With the forthcoming Combined Authority and the Cumberland Nuclear Future Board, we have an opportunity to align local, regional and national decision-making. The white paper provides a ready-made evidence base to inform those discussions.

Third, people and skills must sit at the heart of our approach. Advanced nuclear will only succeed if we have a coordinated, ambitious people strategy that attracts, trains and retains talent in West Cumbria – not just for today’s projects, but for decades to come.

Fourth, infrastructure and place cannot be an afterthought. Transport, housing, digital connectivity and power infrastructure all determine whether investment translates into lasting economic benefit for our communities.

Finally, innovation and productivity are critical. Advanced nuclear technologies bring new ways of working, manufacturing and delivering projects. Our supply chain is ready to embrace that – if it is given the opportunity and support to do so.

What is encouraging about the Advanced Nuclear Framework is that it aligns strongly with this thinking. It recognises the importance of credible projects, local strengths and pace. It creates the conditions for Pioneer Park to move forward in a structured, investable way.

Now is the time to bring these strands together.

When government, the new Combined Authority and Cumberland Council consider how to maximise the opportunity at Pioneer Park, the supply chain’s needs and ambitions are already clearly set out. The BECBC white paper is there to be used – as a guide, a reference point and a practical tool to turn national policy into local success.

If we get this right, Pioneer Park can do more than deliver clean power. It can anchor skilled jobs, strengthen our business base and secure long-term prosperity for West Cumbria.

This Framework gives us the chance. Our supply chain is ready. The task now is to act with confidence and coordination to make West Cumbria’s nuclear future a reality.