In a statement to parliament this afternoon, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said she would be asking BNFL to ensure that Westinghouse "operates with greater financial independence from its parent," within the next 12 months.

But as the biggest union in BNFL, Prospect believes that Westinghouse is vital to the future of any nuclear new-build capacity in the UK.

Prospect negotiator Dai Hudd said: "The minister’s statement clearly sets out the role BNFL will play in the clean-up plans under the new Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. But it only partly answers the crucial question of the UK’s nuclear new-build capability.

"BNFL’s holding in Westinghouse is vital to the development of the UK’s nuclear technology, and we will be making representations to the Secretary of State to that effect."

Hudd warned that Hewitt’s comments on the need for Westinghouse to become financially independent suggested the government could allow it to be sold or moved into some other arrangement with another operator.

"We oppose any sale of Westinghouse," he said, adding that the biggest fear was that it would be sold to a French or American operator. "Westinghouse owns around 65 per cent of licences for reactor build in the world. That ability to tap into a huge market should stay in BNFL or at most link up to a UK operator.

"A quick sale would be very damaging and cast a shadow over 600 jobs at Springfields, Westinghouse’s only UK operation under BNFL, including those of 250 Prospect members."

Hewitt’s comments followed a strategic review by DTI of those parts of BNFL that will not transfer to the new Nuclear Decommissioning Authority. These include its ownership of Westinghouse, shares in URENCO and BNFL’s future in the US.