May 26, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - People in Britain have differing views on the possibility of increasing the country's reliance on nuclear energy, according to a poll by ICM Research published in The Guardian. 44 per cent of respondents agree with the government's policy to build more nuclear power stations, while 49 per cent disagree.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - People in Britain have differing views on the possibility of increasing the country's reliance on nuclear energy, according to a poll by ICM Research published in The Guardian. 44 per cent of respondents agree with the government's policy to build more nuclear power stations, while 49 per cent disagree.

In May 2006, British prime minister Tony Blair endorsed the construction of new nuclear power stations, saying, "Essentially, the twin pressures of climate change and energy security are raising energy policy to the top of the agenda in the UK and around the world. (...) These facts put the replacement of nuclear power stations, a big push on renewables and a step change on energy efficiency, engaging both business and consumers, back on the agenda with a vengeance. If we don't take these long-term decisions now we will be committing a serious dereliction of our duty to the future of this country."

This week, British industry secretary Alistair Darling said a decision on a second generation of nuclear power stations should be made by the end of this year, adding, "Nuclear power is an important part of electricity generation. It is regular and steady, whereas most renewables are intermittent."

There are 153 active reactors in the European Union (EU). Nuclear energy accounts for about a third of the EU's energy supply.

Polling Data

It is now government policy to build more nuclear power stations. Taking everything into account do you agree or disagree with this policy?

Agree	44%
Disagree	49%
Refused / Don't know	6%

Source: ICM Research / The Guardian
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,003 British adults, conducted from May 18 to May 20, 2007. No margin of error was provided.