The UK Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticized the slow pace and high cost of cleaning up the Sellafield nuclear waste dump in Cumbria, raising concerns about 'intolerable risks' from ageing infrastructure and a 'suboptimal' workplace culture. The report highlights missed targets, wasted funds, and ongoing safety issues, urging the government to improve oversight of the £136bn, 100-year decommissioning project.
Sellafield nuclear clean-up too slow and too costly, say MPs
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The UK Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticized the slow pace and high cost of cleaning up the Sellafield nuclear waste dump in Cumbria, raising concerns about 'intolerable risks' from ageing infrastructure and a 'suboptimal' workplace culture. The report highlights missed targets, wasted funds, and ongoing safety issues, urging the government to improve oversight of the £136bn, 100-year decommissioning project.
Trending- 1 Guardian's Nuclear Leaks investigation revealed safety concerns in 2023
- 2 Sellafield fined £332,500 for cybersecurity failings in 2024
- 3 PAC heard evidence from Sellafield and NDA in March
- 4 PAC report published criticizing Sellafield's clean-up (2025-06-03)
- 5 Sellafield said in February that nearly £3bn in new funding was 'not enough'
- 6 Timeline for deep underground nuclear waste store slipped from 2040 to late 2050s
- Increased scrutiny on Sellafield's operations and costs
- Call for government intervention and accountability
- Potential delays in nuclear waste storage project
- Confirmation of workplace culture issues and safety concerns
What: The UK Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) criticized the speed and cost of cleaning up the Sellafield nuclear waste dump and raised concerns about a 'suboptimal' workplace culture at the site. They urged the government and Sellafield bosses to address 'intolerable risks' from ageing infrastructure.
When: Report published 2025-06-03; PAC heard evidence in March; Guardian's Nuclear Leaks investigation in 2023; Sellafield fined in 2024; Government project timeline slipped from 2040 to late 2050s; NDA paid settlements in 2023-24.
Where: Sellafield, Cumbria, United Kingdom; Lincolnshire, United Kingdom (potential nuclear waste store site)
Why: Sellafield is not moving quickly enough to tackle its biggest hazards, has a poor workplace culture, and is not achieving value for money from taxpayer funds. There are escalating fears over a leak of radioactive liquid and cybersecurity failings. The project is critical due to the dangers to the environment and human life.
How: The PAC issued a detailed report based on evidence heard from Sellafield and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The report highlighted missed targets, wasted funds, and safety concerns. The PAC urged the government to set out how it would hold the NDA and Sellafield to account.