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Labour: No EDF nuclear renegotiation

Labour said it would not renegotiate the contract for the new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C if it wins the next general election.

Shadow energy secretary Caroline Flint said she would not seek to change the contract for the £16 billion nuclear power plant.

The government agreed a strike price of £92.50/MWh for the electricity produced at the power station in October last year, which has since been labelled as “the most expensive power station in the world”.

Despite these concerns, Flint told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show that this was still cheaper than other forms of low carbon energy.

She said: “We’re supporting the contract because we believe in the long run that actually it’s important, we hope that actually this is the first of many nuclear new builds and actually as we go forward the cost will come down.”

Flint added: “It’s not helpful for government coming in to say we’re going to renegotiate all contracts. I don’t think that’s right.

“Down the road, obviously, the public accounts committee will look at the details of this, but I do believe nuclear is right and I do think it’s important to get the price right.”