Prospect national secretary Gill Wood said: "This is welcome news. It means continuity for Sellafield staff, as change brings challenges and concerns that can unsettle the running of any business.

"It also ensures continuity for the funding the consortium provides to develop alternative employment opportunities for the local community once the decommissioning work comes to an end – an important strand of the decommissioning policy.

"We do recognise, however, that the contract with Nuclear Management Partners needs to be tightened with a sharper focus on delivery. We also look forward to stronger communication and interaction with Sellafield's trade unions.

"Although lessons need to be learnt over how we got to this point, we welcome Tony Price and the new focus he has brought since his appointment as managing director in May."