Wednesday 30 March 2011

Former government advisor slammed for nuclear support

Sir David King has been criticised for supporting nuclear as a key part of the UK's future energy supply.

The Government's former chief scientist said yesterday that the case for UK nuclear had never been stronger, and could even generate £10billion opportunity for the economy.

Friends of the Earth reacted strongly against this, as energy campaigner Martyn Williams said: "Nuclear power is a gamble we don't need to take - we can keep the lights on and tackle climate change without new reactors by investing in green energy and slashing energy waste."

The campaigner claimed that the economic benefits were not clear cut. He said: "The economics of nuclear power don't stack up - taxpayers are already picking up the multi-billion pound bill for dealing with the radioactive waste that's already been created, and they will have to spend billions more subsidising new nuclear power plants.

The Government should be investing in renewables instead, he added: "Developing the UK's vast green energy potential will generate tens of thousands of new jobs and create a safer, cleaner future for us all."

Sir David King's comments came as he launched with a new report by the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment.

Related story:

Need for nuclear in UK has never been stronger says David King