The UK has become the most expensive country in the world to build a nuclear power station because of overly complex and misunderstood environmental, safety and bureaucratic processes, according to a government review.

The nuclear regulatory task force, set up by prime minister Sir Keir Starmer in February, called for a radical reset of nuclear regulation in the UK to unlock clean power and growth.

In its final report published today (24 November), the expert group outlined 47 recommendations for the government to speed up building new nuclear projects at a lower cost and on time.

It said an overly complex nuclear regulatory system has contributed to the “relative decline” of the UK’s ability to deliver faster and cheaper nuclear projects.