Prospect National Secretary, David Luxton, said today: “The sale of UKAEA Ltd will enable the company to compete on a level playing field in the highly competitive nuclear market for decommissioning and other nuclear contracts.

“The skills, experience and reputation of the UKAEA workforce, together with the global project management expertise of its commercial partner AMEC, will provide a strong platform for winning decommissioning contracts in the coming years and boosting employment opportunities.”

UKAEA Ltd is expected to compete for the running of Dounreay nuclear site in the far north of Scotland; as well as the contract for running the existing Harwell and Winfrith Site Licence Company.