SAFETY concerns have been raised by the UK Government’s “utterly reckless” approach to nuclear energy – as a new report recommends ministers tear up “needless” regulations.
A taskforce commissioned by the UK Government to look into nuclear regulations has recommended a “radical reset” to speed up projects.
Fears have been sparked after the taskforce criticised the “unnecessarily slow, inefficient and costly” system which governs new nuclear projects.
Its final report is expected to focus on tackling what the UK Government described as a “culture of risk aversion” in nuclear energy regulation.
Earlier this year, the UK Government announced it was scrapping a raft of nuclear regulations, including changing the rules so that new projects could be built across the entirety of England and Wales. New nuclear projects are de facto banned in Scotland.
But critics have accused the Government of “cutting corners” with the dangerous energy source.
Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater said: “This seems utterly reckless. Nuclear energy is extremely costly and insecure, and it leaves a long and toxic legacy for future generations.
“The last thing we should be doing is cutting corners, especially when it comes to something so dangerous.”
She added that nuclear energy was “totally unnecessary when it comes to our environmental objectives”.
The Scottish Greens and the SNP have previously argued that Scotland’s natural resources mean that investment is better directed into the renewables sector.
Slater added: “We have immense renewable resources that can power our way into a greener future if our governments are willing to invest.
“Instead Labour is determined to throw billions at a toxic and dated industry rather than seizing the opportunity to build a modern green energy sector that works for people and planet.”
But the UK Government insists that nuclear energy is safe and vital to reaching net zero emissions.
Miatta Fahnbulleh, the Minister for Energy Consumers, said: “For too long, big British infrastructure projects have been held back by needless bureaucracy.
“It’s time for a new approach to getting nuclear projects off the ground more quickly, and at a lower cost.
“We look forward to working with the expert taskforce to modernise outdated regulations so we can unlock growth, jobs and energy security for the British people.”
John Fingleton, head of the nuclear taskforce, said: “Nuclear energy is safe and reliable and can contribute to net zero goals. It is also vital to the UK's strategic deterrent.
“However, over recent decades, nuclear regulation has become more complex and costly without always delivering commensurate safety and environmental benefits.
“Our interim report identifies our main concerns with the current system which we think is not fit for purpose.”
