Vetting of some staff at Sellafield is taking up to a year

The pledge, by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), follows news that some staff have to wait up to a year to be cleared by UK intelligence personnel.

Sellafield is regarded as a "category one" terrorist target and workers are subject to rigorous vetting procedures.

The DTI's Office of Civil Nuclear Security (OCNS) carries out vetting of Sellafield staff on behalf of operator British Nuclear Fuels Limited (BNFL).

But it has emerged in the OCNS annual report, that vetting for the most sensitive jobs at the plant, such as those responsible for the site's reactor, has been taking up to 10 months.

Tougher security vetting procedure were brought in after the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.

Officials at the OCNS admit there is a backlog, but say the situation is improving.

'Additional resources'

However, some MPs have criticised the situation, particularly as some unvetted staff are being accompanied around Sellafield by "minders" who have already been cleared.

The highest category of staff should be vetted within 45 days, but checking at Sellafield is still taking about five months.

Medium and low level categories should be cleared within a month, but in some cases the process is taking up to a year.

A DTI spokesman said: "We are aware of the situation at Sellafield and additional resources are to be brought in to better handle procedures.

"However, there will be no compromise on security, and we can assure the people of Cumbria that everything is and will continue to be done to maintain the highest levels of security at Sellafield."