Dounreay - MP meets with Major Projects Review Group

12.00.00am GMT Mon 25th Jan 2010

Local MP, John Thurso has given evidence to the Major Project Review Group (MPRG) who are advising the Treasury in respect of the Dounreay contract. Set up by the Office of Government Commerce within the Treasury, MPRG is tasked with assessing the value to the taxpayer of major projects and advising the Treasury on funding awards.

John said:

"My evidence centred on two specific areas. First, the amount of money required annually to be spent to ensure proper value for the taxpayer and, secondly, the role of the site licence contract in ensuring socio-economic regeneration. I made the point to the panel that in order to secure true value for the taxpayer it was necessary that the decommissioning be done on a consistent, predictable and clear basis and urged them to agree the funding proposals put forward in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's business plan of £163 million per annum.

"I pointed out that sudden reductions and increases in funding would result in the high quality local workforce losing confidence and seeking employment elsewhere and would be a major barrier to bringing on stream new industry such as the renewable energy industry.

"I also made clear to the panel the importance of including a socio-economic remit in the contract. I pointed out that all of the evidence of successful decommissioning projects throughout the world, and particularly the US, showed that where the major contracts were bound into the socio-economic process the outcome was far more successful than when they were not. Thus, long-term value for the taxpayer is best served by ensuring that adequate jobs and activity are brought on stream as decommissions progresses.

"The panel was comprised of professionals from within the engineering and project management fields. I believe they had a clear understanding of the points I was putting across and I very much hope they will recommend them to the Treasury."