UK's nuclear ambitions lifted after Hunt grants £700m for Sizewell C

THE UK's nuclear ambitions were given a fresh vote of confidence from the government yesterday, after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt confirmed he would back the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power plant with an initial £700m investment.

Hunt announced contracts for the funding would be signed within a matter of weeks, paving the way for its eventual approval.

The funding pledge was first made by Boris Johnson this summer, in one of his final acts as Prime Minister.

There had been doubts swirling in recent weeks over the funding, amid growing concerns it could be axed by Hunt in a scramble for savings, forcing Downing Street into a denial.

Hunt said: "Our £700m investment is the first state backing for a nuclear project in over 30 years and represents the biggest step in our journey to energy independence."