Reply from Ed Davey Feb 8th

Dear Ruth Balogh,

Thank you for your e-mail of 8 February about nuclear waste in Cumbria. I have been asked to respond.

The Government respects Cumbria County Council's decision, and has made clear that the current process for selecting a site for a geological disposal facility (GDF) in west Cumbria will end.
The fact that two local authorities voted in favour of entering the search for a potential site for a GDF shows that communities recognise the substantial benefits in hosting such a facility - both in terms of the job creation that would come with this multi-billion pound infrastructure project and the wider benefits associated with its development.

The Ipsos MORI poll last year showed 68% of those surveyed in Copeland were in favour of continued participation in the process.

We remain firmly committed to geological disposal as the right policy for the long-term safe and secure management of higher-activity radioactive waste, and to an approach based on voluntarism and partnership working. There are no plans to "force" a GDF on any area.

The MRWS process continues, and the invitation remains open to communities all over the country to express an interest in the process, without commitment. The Government will embark on a renewed drive to ensure that the case for hosting a GDF is drawn to the attention of communities, and to encourage further local authorities to come forward over the coming years to join the process.

Development of a GDF is estimated to cost over £12 billion. Much of this will be paid in wages and in contracts to companies in the area. In addition to the jobs created at the GDF there will also be increased employment in the local supply chain as it expands capacity in response to the new source of demand. As a result of the direct and indirect employment effects, the level of household income throughout the local economy will increase and a proportion of this increased income will be re-spent on local goods and services.

Any community hosting a GDF would receive significant economic benefits, high quality employment and infrastructure improvements, all of which would be maintained over a very long period. In addition, Government has given a commitment that there will be a community benefits package - worth hundreds of millions of pounds - tailored to local needs and priorities, which will assist with developing the social and economic wellbeing of a community that is willing to host this essential national facility.

Yours sincerely,
Daniel McHugh

Daniel McHugh
DECC Correspondence Unit
Department of Energy and Climate Change
3 Whitehall Place
London
SW1A 2AW
www.gov.uk/decc