Liberal Democrats criticise Government go-ahead for nuclear power

3.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Jan 2008

The Government will tomorrow end nearly four years of internal debate by announcing plans designed to entice the nuclear industry to invest in a new generation of 10 nuclear power stations in Britain. The new stations are intended to provide Britain with energy security by reducing dependence on imported gas and oil. They are likely to produce 20% or more of UK electricity needs and will replace today's generation of ageing reactors.

Steve Webb, Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson said "This is a flawed decision based on a sham consultation. There is a real risk that focusing on new nuclear plants will undermine attempts to find a cleaner, greener, more sustainable and secure solution. We should be concentrating our efforts on renewables and greater energy conservation. Ministers should also be promoting and supporting carbon capture and storage as a safe, secure and flexible way of plugging the energy gap."