The Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA) has submitted today its views on the UK Government’s consultation on the level of liability insurance cap placed on the nuclear industry in the event of a major accident. NFLA conclude that the cap being suggested by the Government is far too low and gives the nuclear industry an unfair advantage. Amendments to the Paris and Brussels Conventions on nuclear third party liability were agreed by the Contracting Parties (Euratom Treaty members) in 2004 and the UK Government consulted on them in 2011/12. The Government decided to increase the minimum level of financial liability that must be imposed on a nuclear operator in the event of a nuclear incident from €140m to €1.2bn (£119m to £1.02bn). Additional public funds are to be made available if the compensation payable is insufficient. These new arrangements are expected to finally come into force on 1st January 2017. The UK Government is now consulting on what it calls ‘low risk sites’ and the transports of radioactive waste and what the liability levels for both should be.
NFLA 9th Aug 2016 read more »