The Hinkley Point C Socio-Economic Impact Report suggests that the nuclear power station has already delivered £4.1bn in value to the economy of the South West of England against an original target of £1.5bn.

The report sets out the economic impact of what was the first nuclear power station built in the UK since Sizewell B in East Suffolk.

The report concludes:

  • Bridgewater, the closes town to the site is now outperforming major regional cities in terms of productivity.
  • Sedgemoor district is seeing the largest growth in household income of any area witing Devon and Somerset – above the regional average.
  • 1,4177 companies in the South West are now involved in Hinkley Point C, with 14,400 jobs expected to be created.
  • The project has trained 922 apprentices, and is on track to hit its target of hiring 1,000 apprentices during construction later this year.

John Dugmore, chief executive of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “These latest figures from Hinkley Point C show what we can achieve here in Suffolk and East Anglia regarding supply chain opportunities to support economic growth.

“Our supply chain engagement team are working with almost 2000 businesses, who are eager to get started, to get them fit and ready to seize the huge supply chain opportunities that the Sizewell C project will bring to our region.”

Terry Baxter, CEO of Inspire Suffolk, said: “Sizewell C will be a catalyst for positive change for some of our most vulnerable young people in the region. The project is already delivering a boost in skills and training with us at Inspire Suffolk and young people tell us they want a chance to do more with Sizewell C.”

The Sizewell C consortium has committed to invest £4.4bn in the East of England with £2bn spent in Suffolk alone.