Pledge for 500 Sizewell C jobs for Ipswich

MP Jack Abbott said he wanted to secure some of the jobs went to people from Ipswich

A company behind plans to build a new nuclear power station has pledged to recruit 500 people from Ipswich.

Sizewell C is planned for near Leiston, Suffolk, but is still awaiting a final government funding decision.

It said an agreement with Jack Abbott, Labour's MP for Ipswich, would mean 500 of the 8,000 jobs came from the Ipswich area.

However, Alison Downes from the campaign group stop Sizewell C, has called the offer "paltry" compared to the total number of workers who would be on site at the peak of construction.

Government funding for Sizewell C is expected next year

The team behind Sizewell C had previously said a total of 2,600 of the 8,000 jobs would come from the East Anglia region.

Abbott said he "wanted to secure a commitment to the people of Ipswich that many of the jobs would be coming from the town and they would be good, well paid and they would be secure".

However, there would be "no penalty" for Sizewell C if it did not live up to the commitment, he added.

The agreement also includes more help for Suffolk New College to expand its engineering offer and the development of a Welding Centre of Excellence.

There will also be specific Sizewell C jobs fairs, as well as sponsorship for a Suffolk Futures Skills fair this year and for the following two years.

Julia Pyke, joint managing director of Sizewell C, said: "By extending our support for Suffolk New College, we can help ensure that young people have the skills and qualifications to develop their careers here, in our region, building a stronger future for Ipswich."

Alison Downes said more of the jobs should be with local people

Those campaigning against the construction of the nuclear power plant are not convinced the jobs would benefit local people and businesses.

Ms Downes said: "The offer of 500 jobs for Ipswich was paltry in comparison to the 8,000 people required on site at peak construction.

"Sizewell C has admitted that 50% of its workforce would in fact come from Hinkley.

"We really need to highlight, too, that local businesses will lose their skilled staff to the project; indeed this is already happening, yet the damage being done to our existing local economy is never talked about."

A final funding decision by the government on Sizewell C is expected next year.