UK's disguised subsidies for N-power slammed by lawmakers

Cabinet ministers in the UK have been urged by MPs to admit their tacit subsidy to nuclear power, even after promising that the industry would not receive such support.

The Energy and Climate Change Select Committee's report has accused ministers of disguising the subsidy and distorting the reforms and warned that non-resolution of the issue would work against the UK securing the low-carbon energy system it needs.

The government said it was committed to creating a low-carbon economy.

The committee looked into the government's plans to reform the energy market.

There is a broad agreement on the need to do this in order to meet the challenge of providing enough affordable electricity without compromising the UK's climate change targets.

The structure of the energy market as it stands at present is meant to supply plentiful cheap electricity, not necessarily low-carbon.