Storage of deadly powder at Sellafield labelled ‘absurd’

The 100 tonnes of plutonium that is being stored at Sellafield is ‘ludicrous’, claims the British Pugwash Group (BPG)

In a BPG report, the scientists express their fear that the stockpile of deadly powder, which was reclaimed from used nuclear fuel and is the largest in the world, could be a target for terrorists.

Retired general Sir Hugh Beach, one of the authors of the report, said: ‘It’s a total absurdity that we should have 200 tonnes of separated plutonium sitting up at Sellafield in tin cans…it is manifestly ludicrous.’

In response to the report’s warning that the government’s plan to cut the stockpile is in ‘disarray’, the government said the plutonium is stored safely and securely, but recognised the need to make progress.

The Department for Energy and Climate Change said it would consider the report’s claims in a future consultation.

The report comes alongside news that Sellafield will not be receiving a budget cut next year, despite The Times reporting yesterday (25 November) that cuts in spending on nuclear clean-up are planned, including at Sellafield.

Bill Hamilton, spokesman of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, said: ‘We are not talking about any cuts in nuclear clean-up at the moment. For next year Sellafield’s budget will remain roughly the same.’