Call to expand UK's nuclear power
March 26, 2008
Britain's nuclear industry should be expanded to provide more energy and more jobs, Business Secretary John Hutton is to say in a speech later.
He will call for the UK to become "the gateway to a new nuclear renaissance across Europe".
Speaking to trade unionists he will say that 100,000 jobs would be created, contributing some £20bn to the economy.
His speech is on the same day as a visit from the president of France - a world leader in nuclear power.
Currently, the UK derives 20% of its electricity from an ageing stock of nuclear plants, compared with 79% in France.
Mr Hutton wants a "significantly higher proportion" of electricity to come from nuclear power in the future and will call for investment to boost the country's 23 plants.
He says the UK should use more nuclear energy as a way to cut down Britain's emissions of greenhouse gases - although environmental groups say renewable energy is a better option.
Mr Hutton will say: "There has never been a greater global demand for finance, equipment and skills to build and operate nuclear power stations.
"I want Britain to be leading the world in the development and application of this new generation of low carbon power technology."
The nuclear industry currently employs around 40,000 workers and supports another 40,000 jobs indirectly.
No new nuclear power plants have been built in the UK since Sizewell B, which opened in 1994.
Dougie Rooney, from Britain's biggest trade union Unite, supported Mr Hutton's idea.
"It's a fantastic opportunity. First of all we're talking here about jobs and security of supply in the long term, and the quality of life of people.
"We're talking about a fantastic opportunity for the manufacturing industry, we could kick-start our foundry industry, we could kick-start our fabrication industry."
Print this page