Sizewell C is forging closer ties with seven organisations representing marginalised or disadvantaged people as part of its plan to make the scheme accessible to hard-to-reach groups.

Bosses at the nuclear plant - planned for a site next to energy company's EDF's Sizewell B at Leiston - were at the Suffolk Show to sign a memorandum of understanding with the organisations.

Sizewell C managing directors Julia Pyke and Nigel Cann - who has been brought on board recently due to the key role he has played in the building of sister plant Hinkley Point in Somerset - welcomed the deal.

It will build on a partnership already in place with Inspire and Access Community Trust since 2018.

"It recognises that to be a diverse project that reflects society we need to reach out to organisations that represent a range of communities within Suffolk," said EDF.

The seven signatories - alongside Sizewell C - are Inspire, Access Community Trust, Ipswich & Suffolk Council for Racial Equality, Outreach Youth, Project 21, Women into Construction and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

"This is part of our commitment to work with as many local organisations as possible to deliver this project and to make it the best possible project it can be which is diverse and inclusive," said Ms Pyke.

"We signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a number of social partners, some of whom we have worked with for several years, such as Inspire where tremendous work is carried out with young people not in training or education.

"Some we are forging exciting new partnerships with, like Project 21 which works tirelessly to raise the profile of the Down’s Syndrome Community." 

Ipswich Star:

The memorandum sets out some key social aims for the project, such as capitalising on the positive opportunities it presents for communities, reducing barriers to employment and providing a framework for establishing relationships with the planned new plant's social partners and the groups they represent.