The Energy and Climate Change Committee yesterday asked Energy Secretary Chris Huhne whether he thought investigating UK nuclear safety was really necessary.

Reacting to comments Mr Huhne had made concerning the re-investigation of nuclear policy, Tory MP Tim Yeo said he was concerned of the effect on decisions going forward with new nuclear. He said: “nuclear is in fact the safest industry when compared to the deaths suffered in the oil and gas and coal industries.”

Charles Hendry, Minister of State for the DECC, added: “There is a difference between the reactors in Japan and the UK. The independence of our regulators here is also an advantage.”

Mr Huhne claimed “My main concern is training, rather than the danger of a similar incident due to seismic difference. It is too early to tell if the situation will have any effect on the investment climate.”

ELN spoke to the Health and Safety Executive, who said it was too early to tell if there would be any changes to the state of nuclear in the UK:

“The Health and Safety Executive’s Nuclear Directorate, the UK’s independent nuclear safety and security regulator, continues to monitor events in Japan closely and is providing specialist technical advice to the UK Government. This is a difficult time for Japan and we are ready to provide support as necessary. However, it is important we work with the IAEA and international regulators, including the Japanese regulators, to determine whether there are lessons to be learned for the UK and internationally.”