Regarding the controversy over Staythorpe power station’s use of foreign workers, power plants for the UK are bought through international tender on a turnkey basis

Unfortunately this market has only four qualified manufacturers who can offer a turnkey power plant and none are British – two are European, one Japanese and one American. In order to compete and for the UK to pay the lowest price, the manufacturers have to select the lowest-cost qualified equipment suppliers and contractors. Nothing is done to exclude competitive offers from UK sources. The UK has for many years been living in a dream world of inflating costs and inefficient government spending.

As we are all now becoming aware, the magic bubble has burst and costs will come down and probably wages also, therefore making the UK more competitive, to bid for work overseas as well as in the UK and to see some benefits due to the weak pound.

Unfortunately this market has only four qualified manufacturers who can offer a turnkey power plant and none are British

Trevor Kilbey

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