Campbell: Nuclear ‘will cost taxpayer billions’

U.K. – Nuclear energy is “the ultimate stealth tax”, Sir Menzies Campbell will warn today as he renews his battle with the Government over Britain’s future energy sources.

The Liberal Democrat leader clashed with Tony Blair on the issue in the Commons last week after the Prime Minister signalled a new generation of nuclear stations was firmly on the agenda.

Mr Blair told him nuclear had to be “at least part of the debate”, but Sir Menzies will argue that taxpayers and consumers will be faced with a bill of tens of billions of pounds.

His latest attack will be reinforced by new research by the party showing it could only be made to work using vast taxpayer subsidies or a rigged market.

An alternative energy strategy based on renewables, microgeneration, energy efficiency and clean coal technology will be more affordable, Sir Menzies will argue.

Manchester Evening News