UK and Uranium

The Relationship between the UK and uranium can be split into the two principle ways the UK uses atoms: defence and energy.

#1 Nuclear Energy – Currently in the UK there are 9 active nuclear power plants and 16 nuclear reactors that generated 18.9% of the UK power supply in 2006, according to the department and the opposition are both looking to have increased nuclear power as a part of cutting carbon emissions for the UK and going towards sustainable energy. The road blocks come in the form of Nick Clegg and the EDF.

Turning it on

Nick Clegg, as part of the Lib Dems manifesto, promised to fight against Nuclear power. In the end, he had to give in to David Cameron and the Conservative part of the coalition and allow Nuclear power to continue, as well as plants be renewed, as long as there were no public funds being used. This leads the UK to their current trouble with EDF. EDF Energy is currently in contract discussions to be the private company that builds the newest nuclear power plant in a generation, but this is held up by two key issues: strike price and capital cost. Strike price is the guaranteed long term price for energy produced, the government wants £100 but EDF wants £80 per megawatt hour. The capital cost is how much the government will underwrite the cost, but the Department of Energy is keeping mum on the current negotiations other than; “they're ongoing.” The good news is that the people want Nuclear power – according to the YouGov Poll Sunday 10 February 2013: “Thinking about providing for Britain's future energy generation needs, which of the following do you support the MOST?” Nuclear came out on top with 26% of the vote, the next closest was Wind tied with Tidal/Wave at 18%.

Getting Explosive?

#2 Nuclear weapons – Just this week the future of Nuclear weapons is on the line and the UK is trying to make a decision soon on whether to extend Trident's lifespan or replace it with an alternative system. The current Trident system is set to last until 2024, and the government is split on where to proceed. The Liberal Democrats' Danny Alexander proposed to cut the program from 4 Trident submarines down to 2, with one submarine off shore but without nuclear warheads and the other going through maintenance of training exercises. The Conservatives have fired back calling the proposal 'naïve and reckless, and liable to leave Britain open to attack.' The Liberal Democrats contend that the Trident nuclear deterrent is a relic of the Cold War and not needed in today's society. The British public isn't very consistent either; The House of Commons Public Administration Select Committee found nearly 60% want to renew 55% in favour of getting rid of Trident. Overall the PA Select Committee also found between 45-50% of people agree that the UK doesn't need nuclear weapons in the future.

The Political Geiger Counter

As long as the nuclear option is meant for peaceful purposes, more people are willing to allow it. When it comes to weapons, people want safety but on the cheap. There are no serious signs (grumbles from half the Government aside) there will be a change in future policy, meaning this relationship is going to stay: Hot Stuff