Government approves nuclear power plans

Updated 23.53 Thu Jan 10 2008
Keywords: energy, Gordon Brown, John Hutton, nuclear

The Government has given the go-ahead to a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Business Secretary John Hutton told MPs that new stations should be built, to assure the future security of supply and help produce a balanced energy mix.

"Going for nuclear allows politicians like Gordon Brown to project the impression that they are taking difficult decisions to solve difficult problems when they are doing nothing of the sort" - John Sauven

He said: "It will be for energy companies to fund, develop and build new nuclear power stations in the UK, including meeting the full costs of decommissioning and their full share of waste management costs."

The announcement will be welcomed by pro-nuclear groups, who have been pressurising ministers to make a decision over replacing the current nuclear power stations.

However anti-nuclear campaigners, such as Greenpeace, are expected to attack the Government over the decision and could even take legal action to block it.

The group won a High Court ruling last year after complaining that the Government's consultation process was flawed and are still considering taking fresh action.

Executive director John Sauven said: "Going for nuclear allows politicians like Gordon Brown to project the impression that they are taking difficult decisions to solve difficult problems when they are doing nothing of the sort."

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