NDA socio-economic report 2022 to 2023
Published 7 December 2023
© Crown copyright 2023
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Foreword
Our social impact work is undertaken according to the principles established in our Local Social and Economic Impact Strategy (below), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and independently produced economic impact assessments that illustrate the economic value of our sites to their local communities (below).
Over the last four years, we have invested almost £50 million of direct socio-economic funding across the UK, leveraging millions of pounds of further investment from partners, to support significant projects that enable permanent and sustainable change in our site communities. In 2022/23, the NDA group invested £12 million of direct socio-economic funding. This report details how and where this money has been invested, including case studies of some of the larger projects we are now progressing with local partners across our site communities.
The NDA Local Social and Economic Impact Strategy was published in July 2020 and sets out the NDA’s obligations and strategic approach to supporting our communities and maximising the beneficial social impact of our work.
This strategy is currently being refreshed and, following a period of public consultation, will be published in Spring 2024.
The NDA always believes that decommissioning activities should benefit local communities and that we must provide a positive legacy once our work is completed. We are immensely proud of our work with local communities to date and are very ambitious to make further progress.
Jamie Reed
NDA Director of Socio-Economics
The NDA Local, Social and Economic Impact Strategy
The NDA is the executive non-departmental government body charged with decommissioning the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost effectively. We do this work with care for our people, communities, and the environment, with safety always as our number one priority.
The NDA Local Social and Economic Impact Strategy (2020) flows from the Energy Act (2004) that provides the NDA with a unique legal duty to have regard for the impact of our activities on communities living near our sites, as well as the wider responsibilities all public bodies have under the Social Value Act (2012). The strategy sets out how we go about delivering the maximum positive social impact from the significant public investment made in our mission each year.
Our decommissioning work supports a considerable number of jobs in some of the most remote parts of the UK. In addition to this, we strive to maximise the value of the buildings and the assets we own on behalf of the taxpayer. For example, by reusing land and buildings wherever possible to secure greater economic benefit.
Our direct socio-economic funding is intended to help local communities who are or will be impacted by the changing levels of economic activity at our sites. If local communities are particularly reliant upon nuclear sites, we work with local partners to help develop alternative economic opportunities and this report provides examples of this work. We also fund projects that develop local skills and which help businesses take advantage of the economic opportunities arising from decommissioning.
Our strategy and associated guidance detail the criteria and governance we apply when allocating funding for projects in our communities.
Principles of the strategy
Local
Our projects must always reflect local priorities. For larger projects this means alignment with the plans of the appropriate local economic development organisations (such as Local Enterprise Partnerships or local authorities). We will only fund local organisations, or national organisations with a local presence.
Evidence
Investment decisions will be made based on clear evidence of need or opportunity and deliverability. We expect applications to be submitted with robust business cases.
Governance
Our socio-economic investments are taxpayer-funded and subject to robust governance.
Outcomes
Our focus is to help achieve long-lasting positive social, economic or environmental benefit. Resources will be allocated on the basis of clear expected outcomes that reflect need/opportunity. Actual performance against targets will be robustly monitored and reported upon.
Economic evidence
It is important that our socio-economic decisions are evidence based, therefore, socio-economic impact assessments are carried out to support our decision-making processes. These reports show that the impact of our decommissioning work is different across all our sites.
Sellafield & NWS (LLW Repository)
Nuclear Restoration Services socio-economic plan
Nuclear Restoration Services - Sites Delivery Business
Nuclear Restoration Services - Dounreay Delivery Business
Case study: Significant leverage achieved from socio-economic projects
Significant progress has been made on projects which have been made possible by NDA group funding and other third-party investments we have enabled. These include a £7.5 million investment in Cleator Moor’s Industrial Solutions Hub, £900,000 group investment in the Morlais Tidal Energy Project in Anglesey and £3 million investment in the Sutherland Spaceport project.
We have a unique statutory responsibility set out in the Energy Act (2004) to have regard for the impact of our activities on communities living near the group’s sites. This is done through a programme of grant funding aimed at creating opportunities for economic growth, diversification, and employment. This is in addition to the already significant nationwide economic impact of our work, as well as the efforts to deliver the maximum social value from operations.
Read more about these summaries and full case studies about our progress.
The NDA group socio-economic funding report 2022/23
The aim of this report is to provide a brief overview of the NDA group socio-economic commitments for financial year 2022/23.
Total group funding committed
| Site | Total spend committed |
|---|---|
| Sellafield Ltd | £8,187,999 |
| Nuclear Restoration Services (Sites Delivery Business) | £572,540 |
| Nuclear Restoration Services (Dounreay Delivery Business) | £488,633 |
| Nuclear Waste Services (Low Level Waste Repository) | £141,722 |
| Nuclear Decommissioning Authority | £2,389,647 |
| Total spend/commitments | £11,780,541 |
Sellafield Ltd
Sellafield Ltd social impact strategy 2018
Total socio-economic spend for 2022/23 is £8,187,999
Notable contributions in 2022/23
| Project name | Project description | Total cost of the project | Total funding committed by Sellafield | 2022/23 Funding |
| Industrial Solutions Hub- Copeland Borough Council | Establishment of the iSH entity – creating environment for jobs, employment, skills and training opportunities. Entrepreneurs, businesses and industry coming together to collaborate and design, develop and manufacture innovative solutions. https://ishco.co.uk | £77,699,000 | £2,329,000 | £2,329,000 |
| Western Excellence in Learning and Leadership (WELL) | An evidence informed, transformational education project, aiming to sustainably improve educational outcomes for all young people in West Cumbria, particularly those facing disadvantage. https://welleducation.uk/ | £3,998,383 | £3,998,383 | £1,264,423 |
| Support for local authority social funds | Allerdale Social Fund – Funding is distributed by the local authorities to support the priorities in their communities. | £500,000 | £500,000 | £500,000 |
| Support for local authority social funds | Copeland Social Fund – Funding is distributed by the local authorities to support the priorities in their communities. | £500,000 | £500,000 | £500,000 |
| Barclays Eagle Labs | Eco-system to provide a support function to entrepreneurs, start-ups and growing businesses. https://labs.uk.Barclays/locations/cumbria/ | £1,825,000 | £1,825,000 | £415,000 |
| Millom Town Fund | Millom’s vision is around clean growth, COVID recovery, and inclusive growth, and nine strategic objectives which will secure a revitalised, inclusive, and connected future for Millom and Haverigg. | £13,762,500 | £3,367,500 | £267,500 |
| Cumbria Community Foundation | Family Wellbeing - A programme co-designed to help improve the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children and families in West Cumbria. | £880,000 | £880,000 | £220,000 |
| West Cumbria Rivers Trust | A Wilder Walkmill - Providing access for all by improving footpaths, way marking and accessibility; supporting nature recovery through maintaining and creating habitats; offering volunteering opportunities, events and activities for the local community to attract visitors from all walks of life; delivering education sessions and forest schools for education providers throughout West Cumbria; running an apprenticeship scheme to train young people in employable conservation skills and uncover and explain the site’s lost industrial heritage. | £2,346,029 | £199,000 | £199,000 |
| Cumbria County Council | Alleviating Hardship in Allerdale and Copeland. | £3,500,000 | £175,000 | £175,000 |
Nuclear Restoration Services
In April 2023 Dounreay joined with Magnox to form a single legal entity as part of work to create a simpler, stronger NDA group. In October 2023 it was announced that the organisation would be known as Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) with two divisions – a Sites Delivery Business, including those sites previously branded as Magnox, and Dounreay Delivery Business.
NRS working with our communities
Total socio-economic spend committed for 2022/23 is £572,540
| Site | Funding | |
|---|---|---|
| Berkeley | £32,485 | |
| Bradwell | £30,260 | |
| Chapelcross | £24,500 | |
| Dungeness | £69,600 | |
| Harwell | £102,564 | |
| Hinkley | £56,975 | |
| Hunterston | £53,516 | |
| Oldbury | £37,182 | |
| Sizewell | £47,613 | |
| Trawsfynydd | £77,409 | |
| Winfrith | £4,783 | |
| Wylfa | £35,653 |
Notable contributions across the NRS Sites Delivery Business estate in 2022/23
| Location | Partner & Project name | Project description | Total cost of the project | Total funding committed by NRS Sites Delivery Business | 2022/23 Funding |
| Harwell | SOFEA | SOFEA is an innovative education and training charity, enabling disadvantaged young people to (re)engage with learning, skills development and work. https://www.sofea.uk.com/ | £3,207,969.00 | £300,000 | £100,000 |
| Hunterston | Radio City Association, Electric Valley | Large transformational project for main street hub (Contribution capped at £50,000 for asset transfer of empty property from North Ayrshire Council). | £300,000 | £50,000 | £50,000 |
| Sizewell | Saxmundham Art Station | Art Station work placements, internship, new East Suffolk LCEP co-ordinator, work experience opportunities and volunteering opportunities. https://theartstation.uk/ | £208,170 | £90,000 | £45,000 |
| Trawsfynydd | Outdoor Partnership | Year 5 Funding https://outdoorpartnership.co.uk/about-us | £1,575,166 | £180,000 | £36,000 |
| Dungeness | Folkestone and Hythe District Council (Romney Marsh Partnership) | Year 3 - Romney Marsh Partnership Coordinator | £180,000 | £90,000 | £30,000 |
| Oldbury | Envision Community Apprentice | Year 2 -to support disadvantaged teenagers reach their potential and inspire them to aspire to do whatever they want. https://envision.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/ | £180,000 | £90,000 | £30,000 |
| Dungeness | Folkestone and Hythe District Council Rural England Prosperity Fund Resource | Year 1 of a 2 year project to fund Rural Prosperity Officer for two years | £651,471 | £80,000 | £36,000 |
| Chapelcross | Black and Gold Foundation | Funding towards large project to refurbish Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) | £158,233 | £20,000 | £20,000 |
| Hinkley | Somerset Education Business Partnership (SEBP) | A four-year project to improve connections with employers, education providers and young people to showcase availability of work and careers in the area to retain talented young people in the region. | £515,000 | £195,000 | £48,750 |
NRS Dounreay Delivery Business
Socio-economic support for communities near Dounreay
Total socio-economic spend for 2022/23 is £488,633
Notable contributions made in 2022/23
| Project name | Project description | Total cost of the project | Total funding committed by NRS Dounreay Delivery Business | 2022/23 Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Coast Visitor Attraction (ex Caithness Horizons) | This is a visitor attraction, which houses the Dounreay heritage collection, to attract visitors to Thurso town centre and sign-post to other visitor attractions in the area. https://www.venture-north.co.uk/plan/attractions/north-coast-visitor-centre | £450,000 | £225,000 | £75,000 |
| Home Start Caithness | Home-Start Caithness is a 3rd sector organisation in the community working in family homes during the first 1001 days of life. A vital time to develop safe, secure attachments which help children to cope throughout the rest of their lives. https://www.homestartcaithness.org.uk/ | £151,911 | £58,000 | £58,000 |
| Venture North Destination Management | Venture North currently supports members and the tourism industry in Caithness and Sutherland. Incorporated in 2013, the organisation has been engaging businesses and delivering a number of consumer and business focused activities designed to promote the tourism offering in the north Highlands. https://www.venture-north.co.uk/ | £551,000 | £97,040 | £34,595 |
| Public Service Obligation Officer | This Wick PSO is the result of sustained collaborative support from CNSRP, Caithness Chamber, HIAL, HITRANS, Transport Scotland, NDA, and interest and support from the business community. The officer post is to manage, co-ordinate and support a number of transport and economic development projects in the Caithness and North Sutherland area with a particular futuristic eye on underpinning and enhancing connectivity in the region | £180,000 | £90,000 | £30,000 |
| Royal British Legion Thurso Club Hall Refurbishment | The Royal British Legion Thurso Club Hall is one of the main community spaces for various organisations, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. The hall required modernisation to make it more amenable to changing requirements for different functions. https://rblsthurso.com/about-us/ | £52,500 | £27,000 | £27,000 |
Nuclear Waste Services (Low Level Waste Repository)
LLWR’s Community Investment Fund
Total socio-economic spend for 2022/23 is £141,722
Notable contributions made in 2022/23
| Project name | Project description | Total project cost | Total funding committed by NWS (LLWR) | 2022/23 Funding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Better Tomorrows Programme Year 2 | The first of a three year commitment to Cumbria Community Foundation, The Better Tomorrow project aims to secure a quality youth provision for all teenagers in Cumbria. The project offers support on training youth workers, setting up and securing safe spaces for youth groups with the aim of creating a sustainable youth provision for the future. This will also aid employment in the area for those employed subsequently as youth workers. https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/give-to-your-community/better-tomorrows/ | £899,233 | £150,000 | £50,000 |
| Cumbria Community Foundation Winter Warmth Match Champion | Cumbria Community Foundation supports the elderly and most vulnerable in Cumbria, who struggle to heat their homes and to stay warm and healthy over the winter period. Nuclear Waste Services are a match champion for 2022, to ensure local people in crisis are supported over the winter period. The fund offers grants as well as advice and support on energy efficiency as well as befriending those in need. https://www.cumbriafoundation.org/winter-warmth-fund/ | £20,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 |
| Egremont Christmas Appeal | This project has supported the purchase of thermos flasks, hot water bottles and food hampers for the elderly and most vulnerable in the community as well as working with local schools to assist families. The scheme also supports the warmth hub where help and advice can be sought over the coldest months. | £10,000 | £10,000 | £10,000 |
| Howgill Family Centre | Enhancement of the play area in Cleator Moor. The nursery has had refurbishment previously without provision for the playground attached to the centre. This is used by approx. 65 local children between 6 months and 4 years. Funding will provide a safe age-appropriate play area for these children. | £6,500 | £6,500 | £6,500 |
| Copeland Rugby League | Restart of the Copeland Rugby League Community Foundation. Led by Whitehaven rugby league professional players. The CRLFC aim to inspire and motivate youth groups and OAPs highlighting the importance of maintaining fitness with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing. Provision of equipment, advertising and kit to support the project. | £4800 | £4,800 | £4,800 |
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)
Working with our communities - GOV.UK
Total socio-economic spend in 2022/23 is £2,389,647
Notable contributions in 2022/23
| Project name | Project description | Total project cost | Total funding committed by the NDA | 2022/23 Funding |
| SOFEA (funded by NDA and NRS) | SOFEA is an innovative education and training charity, enabling disadvantaged young people to (re)engage with learning, skills development and work. https://www.sofea.uk.com/ | £3,207,969 | £308,952 | £201,350 |
| Space Hub Sutherland | The project will deliver the required infrastructure to enable vertical launch capability. https://orbex.space/spaceport | £31,500,000 | £3,000,000 | £200,000 |
| Social Fund – Cumbria - Alleviating Hardship Scheme | Funding provided to support organisations and individuals to alleviate hardship in their communities. | £311,000 | £200,000 | £200,000 |
| Social Fund – NRS Dounreay Delivery Business | Funding provided to support organisations and individuals to alleviate hardship in their communities. | £200,000 | £200,000 | £200,000 |
| Social Fund – NRS Sites Delivery Business | Funding provided to support organisations and individuals to alleviate hardship in their communities. | £192,597 | £192,597 | £192,597 |
Caithness and North Sutherland Fund
Total Socio-economic funding for 2022/23 is £300,000
Copeland Community Fund
https://copelandcommunityfund.co.uk/
Total socio-economic funding in 2022/23 is £1,545,000