BATTLE has been well and truly joined over the Government's plans to build a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Ministers say they are needed both to ensure Britain is not reliant on imported energy and to help in the battle against climate change.

Opponents say nuclear power will make barely a dent in the UK's carbon emissions, still isn't safe enough, and that the stations will be too costly and take too long to build.

While no mass form of energy generation is entirely safe, there is no doubt that many people still view the idea of an increase in nuclear power with trepidation. Safety may have moved on in leaps and bounds since the Chernobyl crisis of the Eighties, but people have long memories.

We accept entirely that Britain's energy supplies need to be secure.

We cannot continue to import and run the risk of being held to ransom by other countries.

Yet we are not convinced that nuclear is the best option. There are cleaner power stations such as those used in some Scandinavian countries. And the issue of the disposal of radioactive waste is a problem that will not go away.

The Government's decision is already attracting opposition from green groups and other politicians, including the Mayor of London who has dubbed it "the mistake of a generation".

Unions, business leaders and the Conservatives, however, are in favour.

We suspect this is a row that will rumble on for years to come.