Complex rules push Britain to the top of global costs
The UK now ranks as the costliest place to build nuclear plants, according to a government review. The report blames complex and slow regulation for driving up expenses across the sector. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ordered the review to trigger a radical reset of nuclear policy. The taskforce says streamlined rules could save Britain tens of billions and end years of decline. The government plans new nuclear projects to secure future energy and meet net-zero targets.
Fragmented oversight inflates risks and delays
The review highlights a fragmented safety system with no clear industry-wide authority. This structure leads to conservative and costly decisions that exceed actual risks. The authors describe a near-monopolistic sector prone to major overruns and long delays in civil and defence programmes. Nuclear power remains essential for Britain’s energy future. The report warns that the UK risks losing ground in a global nuclear revival. It says current rules remain too cautious, including strict limits on worker radiation exposure.
One-stop nuclear commission proposed
The taskforce urges the creation of a single commission with unified authority over all nuclear decisions. Chair John Fingleton calls the proposals bold but necessary. He says simpler regulation can maintain or improve safety while delivering capacity faster and at lower cost. The government will respond to the findings in this month’s Budget. Many major economies now rethink their nuclear plans. Planned and proposed reactors worldwide match the number already operating. The UK joins 30 nations pledging to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 to reduce emissions.
Aging reactors intensify pressure for new builds
Britain’s nuclear fleet generates about 15% of the country’s electricity in 2024. The UK runs nine reactors, but eight will shut by 2030. New projects are under way but will take years to enter service. Hinkley Point C should start operating in the early 2030s. Sizewell C will follow later that decade and could power six million homes. The UK also invests in small modular reactors that can be built faster than large plants. France plans at least six new reactors. China has nearly 30 under construction. The US completed its first new reactor in more than 30 years last year. Japan aims for nuclear to supply a fifth of its electricity by 2040 after restarting its programme. Germany instead prioritises hydrogen and other renewables.
Public concerns remain shaped by past disasters
Nuclear energy continues to divide opinion. Memories of Fukushima and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster still influence public debate and fuel ongoing safety concerns.
