Union Unite has raised concerns over plans to cut around 200 jobs at the Dounreay nuclear site in Caithness.

In a letter to stakeholders, Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) Managing Director Phil Craig said workforce numbers will start to be reduced over the next year as a number of decommissioning projects come to completion.

He wrote: "While a number of roles can be moved to support other operations, there will be an impact on the site's resourcing requirements.

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"Our expectation is that we will reduce the workforce by around 200 roles in the next year or so, which will include up to 150 DSRL employees leaving under voluntary arrangements with the remainder from the agency and contract workforce largely associated with projects which are due to end."

Mr Craig added the final number of redundancies will be "dependent on factors including, but not limited to, the amount of volunteers, cost and business need".

Unite regional officer, Ian Ewing, said the union is "very disappointed" with the announcement.

"We are very disappointed and concerned that the company have announced redundancies, when we believe there is enough work to sustain the resources presently employed," he said.

"We will work with the company to minimise the numbers at risk and we will not entertain any compulsory redundancies."

The clean up operation at the site is on scheduled for completion by the early 2030s.

(LM)