In one of his final acts as prime minister, Boris Johnson says that the £20 billion Sizewell C reactor in Suffolk has been funded.
Boris Johnson approved the Sizewell C nuclear power facility in Suffolk and pledged £700 million in government finance for the project.
In one of his final acts as prime minister, he announced the move during a speech from the site, declaring that he was “100% convinced” that it would pass within the next few weeks, despite the rising cost of living problem.
The government previously estimated that the £20 billion power plant would take just under a decade to construct and could provide energy to six million homes.
Mr. Johnson is scheduled to be replaced as prime minister the following week by either Rishi Sunak or Liz Truss.
Politics live: Boris Johnson pledges £700 million as his term in office winds down.
In his speech, the Prime Minister lauded the history of nuclear discoveries in the United Kingdom, but asked, “What happened to us?” claiming that British nuclear energy was “frozen.
He criticized “short-termism” for preventing the construction of new nuclear power plants in the United Kingdom for nearly three decades, while countries such as France had constructed four in the same period.
And he criticized Labour and Liberal Democrat leaders of the past, without mentioning his own party’s tenure in office, stating that it was “a chronic case of politicians being unable to see beyond the political cycle” and preferring to invest.
Mr. Johnson stated that his government’s energy security plan was “correcting the chronic errors of the past and making the necessary long-term decisions,” adding, “We need to pull ourselves together and move on with Sizewell C.
This project will create tens of thousands of jobs and power six million houses in the United Kingdom, which is nearly one-fifth of all dwellings. Therefore, it will assist to address the energy needs of not only this generation but also the next.
“Great British nuclear offensive”
The Financial Times reported earlier this week that by investing in Sizewell C, the government would reassure investors about the nation’s commitment to building new nuclear power plants.
As part of efforts to remove a Chinese state-backed nuclear energy company from the project, the newspaper reported that French state-owned EDF, the project’s developer, will also take a stake.
However, the campaign organization Stop Sizewell stated that the power plant was a “vanity project” for the prime minister that his successor should “throw away.”
They said, “When every dollar counts, it is utterly irresponsible to bind the future prime minister and billions of dollars in government funds to this harmful project, with its soaring cost, protracted construction, failure-prone technology, and unclear long-term water supply.”
Mr. Johnson stated that there is “no cultural antipathy to nuclear power” in the United Kingdom and that the protesting group outside the site before his address is an example of “pure nimbyism.”
He continued, “A child born this year will continue to receive energy from Sizewell C long after she retires, and this new reactor is just one component of our Great British nuclear campaign.”
The announcement comes at a time when the government is under increasing pressure to address rising energy prices, with the price ceiling due to increase by 80% in October.
Mr. Johnson has reiterated that it will be up to either Ms. Truss or Mr. Sunak to determine what assistance is provided to households and businesses, but he has stated that it is “obvious” that the next administration will provide an additional package of assistance.
During a question-and-answer session, he continued, “We have the budgetary firepower to resolve this.” We have a healthy job situation and enough revenue pouring into the Exchequer to assist individuals.
This gives us the strength to continue helping others.
Sizewell was the final stop of the Prime Minister’s tour of the United Kingdom during his final days in office, during which he discussed gigabit broadband in Dorset, policing numbers in Lewisham, and defense cooperation in Barrow.
Mr. Johnson has been reticent to outline his plans for after he departs Number 10; his successor will into office on Tuesday. However, when asked what kind of ex-PM he would be, he responded, “Only time will tell.”
“However, I intend to and will unquestionably offer my complete and unqualified support to whoever succeeds me.
Otherwise, it’s time to move on with life.
And the Prime Minister had some advice for the next occupant of Downing Street: “I believe it’s fair to say that this administration has not shied away from tough decisions.
“We’ve raised our eyes, we’ve scanned the horizon, and I’m confident that whoever follows me will do the same.
“Therefore, no more national myopia, no more short-termism; let’s consider the future, our children and grandkids, the next generation.
“Therefore, with the prophetic candor and clarity of one who is about to relinquish office, I say go nuclear, go large, and go with Sizewell C.”
