Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is a non-departmental public body that has been created to oversee Britain's "nuclear legacy".

The NDA was established in April 2005 under the Energy Act 2004 to take strategic responsibility for the UK's nuclear legacy. Its core objective is to ensure that the 20 civil public sector nuclear sites under its ownership are decommissioned and cleaned up safely, securely, cost effectively and in ways that protect the environment. To spin their case, the NDA has brought in high profile PR experts who are used to fighting controversial schemes. The NDA has hired Jon Phillips, the ex-head of communications for Heathrow Airport be be its head of Comms. Phillips led BAA's successful campaign for a fifth terminal at Heathrow and is reported to be earning £70,000 to push the pro-nuclear spin. He is heading a ten person team based in London.

PR team

The NDA also has a PR team based in Cumbria headed by Bill Hamilton ex- director at Grayling and public affairs director at Safeway, and recently group public affairs director for Transport for London.[1]

The NDA hired Jon Phillips, Heathrow Airport's head of communications, for a salary of well over £70,000 a year to manage its PR. Phillips will have a deputy and nine other press officers working under him.[2]

The Revolving Door

NEED TO CHECK spelling etc - from Jean

Two key personnel working for the NDA are ex-BNFL. They include Richard Mrowicki, who was involved in BNFL's communications involved in stakeholder dialogue - now working for NDA

Richard Waite -main project manager for Sizewell and worked for the Ministry of Defence.

David Hays- head of Environmental Strategy for the NDA - uased to work for DTI. In 2001, he apporved BNFL's revised Mox plan

Richard Griffin - was DTI hepled set

Lawrence Williams ex-head at NII - now head of safety at NDA -

Bell Pottinger

The NDA has hired Bell Pottinger Communications to run its PR led by Chime Communications division chairman Kevin Murray. Also involved are Bell Pottinger Public Affairs director Tim Walker and Corporate & Financial director Mark Herbert. The account is said to be worth £100,000.[3]

Under Investigation

In December 2005, the Commons Trade and Industry Committee announced an inquiry into the work of the NDA and UKAEA as both Non-Departmental Public Bodies are sponsored by the DTI).

The UKAEA manages the restoration of sites used for the UK's nuclear research and development programme, under contract to the NDA. It is also responsible for the UK's input into the European fusion research programme.

During the course of its inquiry the Committee will consider issues such as:

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     The remit and activities of the NDA and UKAEA;
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     The compatibility of current plans for the NDA and UKAEA with any increased reliance on nuclear power generation;
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     The NDA and UKAEA's performance and accountability; and
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     Any further relevant matters.

References

• 1. Ravi Chandiramani (2005) Lib Dem Election Chief Nets Tfl Job, PR Week, 12 August, p1.

• 2. Ravi Chandiramani (2005) Nuclear Clean-Up Body Brings In Bell Pottinger, PR Week, 8 July, p2.

Related Articles

• Jonathan Leake and Dan Box, "When PR goes nuclear", New Statesman, May 27, 2005