Hinkley Point project still on says Energy Secretary after talks with EDF

Plans to build the first new nuclear power plant in a generation have not been affected by the Brexit vote, Energy Secretary Amber Rudd has said.

The new reactor at Hinkley Point, Somerset, is one of a number of large infrastructure projects that have been thrown into doubt by the vote to leave the European Union.

Speaking at a conference on business and climate change, Ms Rudd said: "We are still full tilt on Hinkley Point."

She said she had spoken to the chief executive of French energy giant EDF, which is building the power plant, and the company was "absolutely committed" to making a final investment decision on the scheme.

She also said there was a great future for developing small modular nuclearreactors.