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Radio 4,2 mins

Amber Rudd: £2bn nuclear plant deal is 'value for money'

Today

Available for over a year

Chancellor George Osborne has announced that the UK will guarantee a £2bn deal under which China will invest in the Hinkley Point nuclear power station. Energy Secretary Amber Rudd, who's in China with George Osborne spoke to John Humphry's, who asked her why we need the Chinese to 'bail us out'. Mr Osborne said the deal would pave the way for a final investment decision on the delayed project by French energy company EDF. He also said it would also enable greater collaboration between Britain and China on the construction of nuclear plants. EDF welcomed the news but did not say if it put the project back on track. Earlier this month, EDF admitted the Hinkley project in Somerset, which was intended to allow the plant to generate power by 2023, would be delayed. There are a number of reasons why it's been labelled as highly controversial, including the cost of £24.5 billion. The technology, which isn't running anywhere else has been accused as being fraught with problems; and some say it can't possibly be ready on time.

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