Nuclear Opportunity Cost

Letters: Caroline Lucas thinks advancing the climate and nature bill is vital, while Colin Hines and Alison Downes say an expanded warm homes plan could generate jobs. Caroline Lucas: Rachel Reeves’s spring statement (Report, 26 March) has sidelined the nature policies that Britain needs to build a more prosperous economy, and tackle the planetary crisis that is threatening our way of life. Colin & Alison: Rachel Reeves emphasised her desire “to get people back to work”, but gave no hint of what form that work would take. One country-wide job creation scheme that could be delivered over the next few years would be for the government to double the £6.6bn already committed in its election manifesto to its warm homes plan for improving energy efficiency. This massive increase in investment could be funded by the government announcing the cancellation of further investment in nuclear power. Our report, Redirect Sizewell C funding to warm homes, shows that about £40bn will be spent over the next 15 years on this nuclear white elephant. Were it to be scrapped now, this could free up more than £7bn by 2030. This huge redirection of funds would generate long-term, secure jobs, particularly for young people across the UK. It could be quick to implement, so by the next election, homes across the country will be warmer, healthier and with reduced energy bills. This widespread improvement in living conditions, and the generation of jobs in every constituency, could improve Labour’s currently diminishing chances of winning the next election.