Backed with support from a group of politicians and environmentalists, including Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and MEP Keith Taylor, the complaint aims to prevent the construction of additional nuclear power stations in the UK.

Prepared by lawyers acting for Energy Fair, the complaint states that incentives to cap liabilities for nuclear accidents could act as a subsidy for nuclear power, as well as diverting time and money from renewables and energy conservation, where the group feels time would be better spent.

European Renewable Energies Federation director and lead lawyer of the complaint Dr Dörte Fouquet, said: “This complaint aims to shed some light on the recent shift in the energy policy of the United Kingdom where strong signals point to yet another set of subsidies to the nuclear power plant operators.”

Meanwhile, Ms Lucas, criticised decisions made by government, saying “despite persistent denials by ministers, it’s clear that this is a subsidy by another name, which makes a mockery of the coalition pledge not to gift public money to this already established industry.

“If these subsidies are found to be unlawful, I trust the European commission will take action and prevent the UK’s nuclear plans from seriously undermining the shift towards new green energy.”

Carys Matthews

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