PM unveils plans to make it easier to build new nuclear reactors

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Government is pledging to create thousands of highly skilled jobs by reforming planning rules to make it easier to build new nuclear reactors. The British people have been left vulnerable to global energy markets for too long - and the only way out is to build our way to a new era of clean electricity Energy Secretary Ed Miliband The UK has been left lagging behind in the global race for cleaner, more affordable energy after years of delay and obstruction, with the last nuclear power station built in 1995, said ministers. “What we’re saying today, though, that I think is really important, is that communities will still absolutely have a voice in the planning process, that’s really important.” Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “This is the Prime Minister’s strongest signal yet that new nuclear is critical to the growth and clean power mission. “We need to make Britain the best possible place to build new nuclear, both large-scale and SMRs, which means avoiding unnecessary stumbling blocks and ensuring regulations are proportionate to our urgent need for low carbon power, energy security and good jobs.” Conservative shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie said it was “about time that Labour started to follow our lead in recognising the benefits of stable, reliable, baseload nuclear power”.