Business leaders back new nuclear power stations

THE vast majority of business leaders support a new generation of nuclear power stations to safeguard Britain’s energy supply, according to new research.

The Institute of Directors has discovered that 85% of the 1,800 business people it surveyed were in favour of a new nuclear build.

The business organisation has also expressed its concern that there has been insufficient focus on mitigating the likelihood of power cuts in the middle of this decade.

The IoD is now calling on the government to encourage private investment in the country’s future energy needs while also ending its ‘indecision’ about nuclear energy.

Miles Templeman, director-general of the IoD said: “We believe that political indecision, flaws in the UK’s strategic planning system and the persistent threat of windfall taxes on the profits of energy companies has discouraged private investment in new capacity and left the UK exposed to power shortages.

“The message from business leaders to the next Government is unambiguous – deal with the energy security problem and start dealing with it now.

“If this results in speeding up the planning process and a large building programme of new nuclear power stations, so be it. The UK can’t afford blackouts.”

The North West is likely to be a key location for the next generation of nuclear power stations, with major research expertise at Manchester and Liverpool Universities feeding sites in Lancashire and Cumbria. 

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