'Shambolic' Tories have failed to open a single nuclear power plant in 13 years

04 June 2023 , 21:30

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Keir Starmer has vowed that Labour will get Britain building (Image: Getty Images)

Keir Starmer will vow to build more nuclear power stations as he slams the Tories’ failure to open a single one during 13 years in power.

The Labour leader will warn that this government’s “shambolic” approach has cost 7,000 British jobs.

The last Labour government approved 10 sites across England and Wales for new nuclear power stations in 2009.

But only one new plant, Hinkley Point C, is currently under construction and is not due to be commissioned for another four years.

Ahead of a visit to the power station site in Somerset on Monday, Mr Starmer said the UK's "ambition and potential grinds to a halt" under the Tories.

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"The British people should be benefitting from our country's natural resources, but the Tories' woeful record is holding us all back," he said.

Hinkley Point C in Somerset is not due to be ready until 2027 (Getty Images)

"My government will lower household energy bills, create jobs and ensure Britain's energy security.

"Nuclear is a critical part of the UK's energy mix. It's shambolic that after 13 years of Tory government, not one of the 10 nuclear sites approved by the last Labour Government have been built."

He added: “Only Labour will get Britain building and power our future."

The Labour leader will pledge to get existing projects over the line and identify places where further plants could be built.

He will also vow to reform the planning system so decisions on renewable power can be made in months rather than years.

The 10 sites approved for future nuclear plants in 2009 were Bradwell in Essex; Braystones, Kirksanton and Sellafield in Cumbria; Hartlepool; Heysham in Lancashire; Hinkley Point in Somerset; Oldbury in Gloucestershire; Sizewell in Suffolk and Wylfa in North Wales.

At the time, Labour ministers said they hoped to fast-track the construction of the new power stations so that some could be producing energy by as early as 2018.

It was confirmed last year that Sizewell C will go ahead, but construction has not yet begun. Bradwell B is still only at the early stages of the planning process.

Labour has promised to build a power system run entirely by cheap, home-grown renewables and nuclear by the end of this decade.

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John Stevens