Wales Green Party has condemned UK Government plans to water down nuclear power safeguards as “a reckless step by a government openly flaunting its corporate capture”.

Linda Rogers, deputy leader of Wales Green Party said:

“This news is a cynical move by an industry that can’t pay its way, looking desperately for a purpose.

“The government’s statement is riddled with misleading quotes from the nuclear industry, making it clear that Keir Starmer has been captured by these corporations.

“The problem for the nuclear industry isn’t regulation, it’s the cost. The industry wants government handouts, because the technology is so much more expensive than renewable alternatives. We know that Hitachi dropped plans for Wylfa Newydd when they decided the government money on offer wasn’t enough. Ripping up planning protections won’t solve this basic problem.”

The party also highlighted impacts on local decision making and the Welsh language. Linda continued:

“Whether we place these huge installations that will have a legacy for centuries should be decided in Wales, not by a distant Westminster government. We’ve seen thinly veiled propaganda from nuclear corporations implying that protecting our language is trivial. The UK government should think very carefully before colluding with them on that.”

“We have a choice to make about our energy future – do we support communities to own their own renewables that boosts the local economy, or impose extractive, expensive nuclear which still has no long-term answer for dealing with radioactive waste.”

For more information contact:

Sam Coates, Communications Coordinator:
press@greenparty.wales