Voters split over nuclear power

Almost half of Britons say no new nuclear power stations should be built in the UK, according to a Guardian/ICM poll which comes as ministers consider whether to restart Britain's controversial atomic power programme to meet growing energy demand.

The poll finds that neither the pro- nor the anti-nuclear lobby can rely on a clear majority of public support: 48% of people oppose expanding nuclear energy, while 45% support it. The findings show the scale of the public relations exercise required. About 19% of the UK's electricity is generated by its 14 nuclear power stations, but this is expected to drop to 7% by 2020 as older reactors are switched off.

A review of Britain's energy policies was announced by Tony Blair last month and a report is expected in the summer. Sir David King, the government's chief scientific adviser, told the Commons environmental audit committee last month: "I do not think that any government could proceed with nuclear new build if there was a sense in which this was unacceptable to the public. Taking the public along is absolutely essential."

The poll reveals sharp gender differences: 57% of men but only 33% of women supported building new nuclear power stations; 57% of women and 39% of men were against. For the over 65s 47% approved (39% against) compared with 42% of the 18-24s (57% against). Conservative voters were most likely to be pro-nuclear (56% for and 38% against), with 49% of Labour supporters (48% against), and 41% of Liberal Democrat voters - despite their party's anti-nuclear policy.

The review must tackle how Britain should fill a so-called "energy gap" caused by the closure of existing atomic power plants. Half are due to be decommissioned by 2010 and all but Sizewell B in Suffolk by 2023. Nuclear supporters say renewable energy sources cannot plug this gap and reactors do not produce greenhouse gases. Opponents say nuclear power is expensive, disposal of radioactive waste remains unresolved, and that significant carbon dioxide emissions are produced in the building and mining of uranium fuel.

The government's decision to look again at nuclear energy marks a shift in position from that outlined in a white paper two years ago, which said: "Current economics make it an unattractive option for new, carbon-free generating capacity and there are also important issues of nuclear waste to be resolved." Ministers have since come under pressure to rethink amid concerns about global warming, security of UK energy supplies as North Sea output declines, and rising fuel prices.

ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,004 adults aged 18-plus by telephone between 15 and 18 December 2005. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

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