NUCLEAR scientists at Harwell could be balloted for industrial action over cuts in funding which could lead to more than 90 job losses.

The move comes after Harwell was named last week as a possible site for a new nuclear power station.

The scientists fear that Government cuts in funding for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will slow the clean-up of former nuclear plants, as well as discarding skilled workers.

David Luxton, secretary of scientists' union Prospect, said: "It is unacceptable to put so many nuclear scientists under threat of redundancy at the very time there is concern in Government about the shortage of skilled nuclear workers to implement NDA's decommissioning strategy.

He added: "The Government's plans for new nuclear build will be in disarray unless there is adequate funding to implement the accelerated decommissioning. This is not joined-up Government."

A nuclear site at Winfrith, in Dorset, is being integrated with the Harwell site from 2008, but the decommissioning budget for the combined site programme is due to reduce from £101m last year to £60m funding next year and beyond.

He said more than 200 scientists employed at Winfrith, Dorset, held a lunchtime protest over the disclosure that funding for nuclear decommissioning at the site is being axed by 40 per cent.

"We are still waiting for clarification of the funding at Harwell, but feelings are running high. Our priority is to influence the Government and the NRA through discussions, but unless we get some movement we would seek a ballot at Winfrith and Harwell."

The branch chairman at Harwell, Peter Simpson, said more than 90 jobs could go at Harwell because of the knock-on effect on contractors. The clean-up programme would also be delayed if the cuts went ahead.

"People are living in this limbo at the moment. My concern is for the health of people who are going to be under this sort of pressure."

Prospect is pressing the Government for an urgent meeting to discuss the funding crisis.

UKAEA chief executive Norman Harrison confirmed the funding cuts would go ahead, unless the NDA changed its mind. He added: "There is a wonderful opportunity at Harwell and Winfrith to demonstrate that major nuclear sites can be cleared safely, quickly and economically. It would be a great pity if this were lost."

He added: "If job losses occurred, suitable arrangements to resolve the surplus would be discussed and agreed in accordance with UKAEA procedures."