Union Unite has called upon the UK Government to provide clarity on the Moorside nuclear power station project in Cumbria.

Doubts have been raised over the future of multi-billion pound energy scheme following reports of talks collapsing between Japanese owner Toshiba and potential South Korean buyer, Kepco.

Toshiba has been trying to sell its stake in NuGen, a UK nuclear company, after French company ENGIE pulled out.

Once completed, the nuclear power plant will generate around 7% of the UK's electricity needs.

Unite said it was seeking an urgent meeting with Business Secretary Greg Clark as "thousands of highly skilled jobs in construction and operations" are dependant on the project going ahead "in a timely fashion".

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Acting National Officer for Energy, Peter McIntosh, said: "It is vital for the Cumbrian economy in the decades ahead that we have crystal clear clarity on the future of this project.

"It will be a powerhouse, literally, for the regional economy. We are seeking a meeting with business secretary Greg Clark to flesh out the details of the government's approach."

Continuing, Mr McIntosh said such a meeting has become more urgent following reports that 100 staff working on the scheme have been laid off.

"Underpinning the future success of Moorside will be a government commitment to provide the necessary and appropriate public investment," he said.

Unite National Officer for Construction, Bernard McAulay, added: "Ministers, the private sector and the unions must work together to ensure the successful outcome of Moorside.

"This is vital to delivering on existing and future construction skills' requirements to construct the next generation of the UK Energy programme to meet the future energy needs in delivering the low carbon environment that the British government has signed up to."

(LM)