The Ferret, an investigative journalism site, reports a significant quarrel between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the independent body that oversees nuclear safety in the UK. A document released under freedom of information law has disclosed that the ONR told the government that claims about delays to the development of nuclear power in the UK, made in the initial draft of an announcement by Starmer, were “not true.” However, the claims were repeated in the Prime Minister’s final announcement in February, where he said that his government would “rip up rules to fire up nuclear power.” The revelation has provoked strong reactions, with campaigners accusing Starmer of “cynical and unprofessional” behaviour and “ignorant prejudice.” They also warned that weakening nuclear regulations would threaten public safety.
The Labour government under Starmer and Energy Secretary Ed Milliband is a strong supporter of nuclear power. It is pushing to start a new nuclear building programme to increase economic growth and provide clean and affordable energy. The document released by the ONR contains remarks to Starmer’s draft announcement on the issue of the reactors being built at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. The ONR refuted claims that delays in the project were due to “regulatory factors” and suggested focusing more on practical factors such as construction problems to speed up its implementation. However, none of these observations were presented in Starmer’s final announcement, which included much stronger language against regulations and the need to slash “the red tape” to get Britain to build new reactors. Dave Cullen, who co-chairs a forum for ONR and campaign groups, said that Starmer’s announcement was “misleading”, accusing the Prime Minister of trying to tear up key safety regulations “on the basis of a fantasy.” Responding to the release, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero did not address the rejection of ONR’s remarks. In its response to the freedom of information request, the ONR said instead that the draft press release was “shared under a strict embargo just a few days before release”, with an opportunity “to make representations on accuracy”. It added that “dialogue about specific sections of the press release, and in some cases, representations made about the accuracy of sentences/sections is standard practice discussion between communications teams.”
The controversial Hinkley Point C project should have been completed in 2017. However, constant problems and delays compelled energy company EDF to push back repeatedly such a deadline, stating last year that the station might be ready in 2031. The estimated costs of the plant have risen from £18 billion in 2016 to £35 billion in 2024. In June the Starmer government should make a final investment decision on the project of a new nuclear power station in Suffolk. It has already invested £8 billion in the construction of the plant.
