- Nuclear projects have created 47,492 new English nuclear jobs since 2014 while Scotland has added just 661 because of the ban on new nuclear

- Scotland added just 170 new jobs in civil nuclear in 2026, while England added 4,199 to hit historic 100,000 job milestone across the UK

- With Torness Nuclear Power Station ceasing generation in 2030, Scotland will lose hundreds more skilled jobs without new projects

The Scottish Government’s ban on new nuclear has seen job growth slow to a crawl, with just 170 civil nuclear jobs added in Scotland over the past year. England, by contrast, added 4,199 new nuclear jobs, according to the Nuclear Industry Association’s annual Jobs Map. 

The figures highlight the growing divergence between Scotland and England, with English civil nuclear jobs since 2014 increasing by 100% from 47,344 to 94,836. In comparison, Scottish nuclear jobs have increased by only 13.4%, from 4,922 to 5,583. Without the ban on new nuclear, Scotland could have grown at the same rate as England, creating almost 5,000 jobs instead of the 661 new jobs. 

This news comes as employment across the UK civil nuclear sector surpasses 100,000 for the first time in its history, driven by decisive investment in Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C and Wylfa.  

Decommissioning at Chapelcross, Dounreay, Hunterston A and Hunterston B supports the majority of Scotland’s civil nuclear jobs, sustaining specialist skills and expertise across the country. Torness, Scotland’s single most productive, clean and reliable source of electricity, supports a further 730 jobs. However, with generation set to cease at the plant in 2030, Scotland will lose these highly skilled jobs. 

In comparison, English jobs have grown through construction at Hinkley Point C, which now employs 26,000 people across England, Scotland and Wales, with 12,000 people working on site, 10% of whom are Scottish workers unable to work closer to home. Decisive government investment in Sizewell C has also created 1,631 jobs over the past year – a 62.6% increase – and 1,500 apprentices will be created during construction. 

Wales is also set to benefit from 3,000 local jobs in Ynys Môn, the new site for Europe’s first small modular reactors, bringing significant opportunities and investment for the local community. The project will also create a further 5,000 jobs around the UK. 

Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive, Nuclear Industry Association, said: 

“Scotland deserves the same jobs and investment that new nuclear projects are bringing to England and Wales, and Scottish young people deserve the same opportunities.” 

“We know that Scottish sites have high potential for new nuclear development. It’s time to have a common sense energy policy and end the ban on new nuclear.” 

Minister for Local Energy and Jobs, Martin McCluskey, said: 

“New nuclear is creating thousands of skilled jobs and attracting billions of pounds of investment across Britain. Scotland has always been part of our nuclear story and it should continue to be. 

“Scots have proudly worked in our nuclear industry for decades at Torness, Dounreay and Hunterston, and we should continue to have that opportunity, which is why we are determined to work with the Scottish Government to make sure Scotland benefits from the UK’s golden age of nuclear.” 

Case Study: A Career, Home and Future in Scotland 

For Andrea McPherson, a career at Torness Power Station has meant more than developing specialist skills while training in radiological protection to become an Accredited Health Physicist. It has enabled her to build a rewarding career close to her family and friends in her local community, while providing the secure income needed to buy her own home in an increasingly expensive part of Scotland. 

Andrea has also seen first-hand how Torness contributes to the wider East Lothian community, from bringing hundreds of additional workers into Dunbar during planned outages to inspiring the next generation to consider careers in STEM. 

Andrea McPherson, Environmental Safety Engineer, EDF, said: 

“I grew up in a local community to Torness and witnessed how job security and satisfaction was very high for friends and people I knew who worked in nuclear. I also wanted to work in a job that provided significant contributions to the UK’s energy infrastructure. The nuclear industry also offers many carer progression opportunities that are much more varied than other industries. 

“The station provides a local focal point for our next generation. Given that the job market is particularly difficult for young people and graduates, the thousands of jobs nuclear provides would be a significant contribution to job security and career opportunities. It would allow young people to stay in the UK as opposed to going further afield, even abroad for jobs.” 

“The nuclear industry offers many career progression opportunities that are much more varied than other industries. Given the global volatility in political issues which affect the energy industry, new nuclear in the UK would provide energy security and many more skilled jobs for the workforce.” 

ENDS  

Notes to editors:  

About the NIA
As the trade association for the civil nuclear industry in the UK, the Nuclear Industry
Association represents over 340 companies across the UK’s nuclear supply chain.  

Links
Visit our website: https://www.niauk.org/  
Follow the NIA on X @NIAUK and LinkedIn  

For further information, please contact:  

Maya Seth
Digital Communications Executive
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+447938810736 

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