The resounding conclusion of the Sustainable Development Commission has given a taste of the bitter battle to come this summer when the Government will decide whether it wants a new generation of nuclear generators.

Tony Blair is understood to be in favour of building them as a way of securing Britain’s energy supplies and reducing carbon emissions, but other ministers and Labour backbenchers are far from convinced. Rather than replace old nuclear plants with new ones, the commission wants the Government to step up investment in finding new, renewable sources of power and demanding greater energy efficiency from homes and businesses.

Jonathon Porritt, chairman of the commission, said: “There is little point in denying that nuclear power has its benefits but, in our view, these are outweighed by serious disadvantages.”

Malcolm Wicks, the Energy Minister, said the report was an important contribution to the Energy Review, which is due to conclude this summer.

Explore UK News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Science News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Scots may get more tax-raising powers
• Why team games may make your children fat
• Ivy League targets Britain’s top students