ePolitix.com Stakeholders comment on business secretary John Hutton's announcement that the UK must significantly expand its nuclear production.

He said reactors have been proved safe and delaying using them more widely could be disastrous for the environment.

The minister also said the expansion of the nuclear industry could earn £20bn of business for UK companies

Party response: Liberal Democrats

Steve Webb, environment spokesperson, said: "The government seems content to put all its eggs in the nuclear basket, but any new stations won't start producing electricity and carbon savings until after 2020.

"All the latest evidence shows that climate change is hitting harder and quicker than expected. We need to reduce our emissions now.

"Rather than spending huge sums of money on new nuclear, the government should be working to increase energy efficiency, as well as helping to develop genuinely renewable forms of power."

Stakeholder response: Nuclear Industry Association

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A spokesperson told ePolitix.com: "The Nuclear Industry Association believes that the benefits and safety of nuclear power have been widely demonstrated over a significant period of time, it is a proven technology.

"Nuclear is the only low-carbon base-load generating option, making it an essential part of the energy mix as the UK moves towards a low-carbon economy. A balance of nuclear, renewables, energy-efficiency and all other low-carbon options is essential in the fight against climate change.

"The UK is becoming steadily more dependent of imported fossil fuels that are vulnerable to supply interruption and sudden price-fluctuation. Nuclear fuel is not a short-term interruptible import, and it's cost is just a small fraction of overall generating costs – ensuring stability of electricity prices.

"The government has invited private sector companies to come forward with plans for nuclear new-build; and it is for these commercial companies to make the decision on how much to build. However, the clear economic competitiveness of nuclear means that numerous companies have shown significant interest.

"Nuclear power also directly and indirectly supports 80,000 jobs in the UK."