Nuclear workers’ leaders have welcomed a cross-party amendment to the EU Withdrawal Bill aimed at protecting the industry after Brexit.

The sector is voicing increasing concern over the UK’s withdrawal from the Euratom nuclear safety treaty in 2019 as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

Euratom (the European Atomic Energy Community) was established in 1957 to enable a single market of goods and services for nuclear projects as well as to create trade deals.

Government plans to safeguard the nuclear industry through the transition were published in parliament earlier this week.

The Nuclear Safeguards Bill aims to secure the future of the UK’s nuclear industry by establishing a domestic safeguards regime to deliver existing Euratom standards.

Mike Clancy, general secretary of Prospect - the largest union for nuclear engineers and specialists - said: “Leaving Euratom presents real danger to the UK nuclear sector.

“The sector provides thousands of highly skilled, highly productive jobs as well as playing a vital role in keeping the lights on.

“There is no convincing case for leaving Euratom; however, if we are leaving, time is now running out for the Government to set out a proper action plan to deal with nuclear co-operation, funding and safeguarding.

“Prospect members will be urging MPs to support this sensible, cross-party amendment that will provide reassurance that Britain’s nuclear industry won’t face a damaging cliff edge.”