A group of MPs have warned that the UK Government has left the nuclear industry at risk and must act "urgently" to make sure the sector continues to operate after Brexit.
The claim comes amid fears that if the UK is out of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the period up to entering alternative arrangements would "severely inhibit" nuclear trade and research as well as threaten power supplies.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee heard from experts who said they were concerned the legislation for nuclear trade and activity would take longer than two years to set up. As a result, MPs should delay exit from Euratom to be certain new arrangements can be in place.
Iain Wright MP, and BEIS Committee Chair said: "The impact of Brexit on Euratom has not been thought through. The Government has failed to consider the potentially severe ramifications of its Brexit objectives for the nuclear industry. Ministers must act as urgently as possible. The repercussions of failing to do so are huge. The continued operations of the UK nuclear industry are at risk.
"The Prime Minister has made it politically unfeasible to remain in Euratom long term. The Government now has a responsibility to end the uncertainty hanging over the industry and ensure robust and stable arrangements to protect trade, boost research and development and ensure safeguarding of the highest level."
MPs suggest that the UK should retain their membership of a number of key bodies so it has some influence over rules and standards, including remaining part of the EU's Internal Energy Market and staying as a member of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme until at least 2020.
