Whatever the question, the answer is gas

Centrica’s abandonment this week of its plans to build new nuclear power plants came as little surprise. It’s by no means a fatal blow to new nuclear in the UK – the chances are the Chinese or other cash-rich ­investors able to take a very long-term view will step in quickly. But it’s interesting that the announcement came just days after Cumbria County Council’s unexpected rejection of plans for a nuclear waste dump. New nuclear probably will happen in this country at some point in the (distant) future. But for those with a focus on the short and medium term – such as politicians – it’s looking increasingly as though gas is the only game in town.