Workington MP Sue Hayman has signed a motion to push the Government to reconsider proposed nuclear pension changes.

Mrs Hayman said: "A lot of people in West Cumbria have been in touch with me with their concerns about the nuclear pensions arrangements.

"Britain’s 16,000 nuclear workers have my full support on this issue, and that’s why as a frontbencher I have asked for special dispensation to sign Early Day Motion 169, making it clear that I stand with the thousands of affected nuclear workers and their families in West Cumbria.

"The motion calls on the Government to honour the commitments previously made to these employees, and urges the NDA to reconsider the proposed pension changes."

Mrs Hayman, who signed the early motion on Tuesday, added she did not believe it was legitimate for the Government to include nuclear workers' pensions within its public sector pension reforms.

She said: "Each of the sites being decommissioned is licensed to a private company which acts as the sponsoring employer for the pensions of the workers of that site.

"The pension fund is in full financial health and does not fall under public sector pension reform.

"Nuclear pensions have already been cut much further than other public sector pension schemes. I believe that it is unacceptable therefore to try to change the way the scheme is indexed.

"I urge the Government to think again when it comes to nuclear pensions. Thousands of highly skilled nuclear workers should not have to lose out. It’s time for the Government to honour its commitments to our nuclear workforce."