Prospect has responded to the news, calling for the companies to fully engage with Prospect and our members’ interests.

David Avery, Prospect negotiations officer, said:

“As a leading union in energy, Prospect is engaging with both SSE and Npower, as well as the regulator to understand the impact this change will have. As we do this we will be speaking up clearly for our members during the sale and seeking to protect their interests.

“The move is clearly in part prompted, by the government’s price cap policy. It shows the far-reaching consequences for jobs and livelihoods that this policy will have. These impacts must be mitigated by a proper long-term strategy for the future of the UK’s energy and nuclear sectors.

"The government must stop dragging its heels on putting this strategy into practice, wake up and get it in place before both skills and energy security are put at risk.”

Prospect also called for the regulatory bodies to avoid any action that undermines both companies ability to deliver change in the energy industry. This includes any pressure to reduce staff numbers given the government's commitment to the smart meter installation programme, and that both companies are responsible for installing millions of these meters.