Whilst we must learn lessons from the Japanese nuclear disaster, today's interim report by Dr Mike Weightman is a welcome affirmation that the UK's nuclear industry is well-regulated and a viable way of achieving a low-carbon energy future, Giles Chichester MEP, Conservative energy spokesman in the European Parliament, said today.

The report sets out a series of recommendations to tighten safety further but says that there are no reasons for curtailing UK nuclear operations. Dr Weightman has also been appointed to head the IAEA's review of events in Japan, further enhancing the healthy reputation of the British nuclear industry.

The EU is currently agreeing the terms of a series of 'stress tests' of facilities across the continent.

Mr Chichester said:

"The Weightman report confirms that Britain's nuclear power industry conforms to extremely rigorous safety rules and practices. Events in Japan will provide us all with information that we can use to develop an even safer regime for our facilities. This report provides a useful counterbalance to the many scare stories that have been pedalled since Fukushima.

"If we are to achieve a low-carbon energy future then nuclear power is crucial. This all-clear will enable us to continue developing nuclear technology, which is good news for the environment and for the security of the UK's energy in the future."

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