The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Charles Hendry)

Today, I am announcing that the Government will be launching a re-consultation in the autumn on the draft Energy National Policy Statements following the consultation undertaken by the previous Administration earlier this year, and in particular due to changes which have been made to the Appraisal of Sustainability for the Overarching Energy National Policy Statement. The revised statements will give investors the certainty they need to bring forward proposals to maintain security of supply and ensure progress towards decarbonisation and plans for the first new nuclear power station to begin generating electricity by 2018 remain on course. We intend to present the finalised statements to Parliament for ratification next spring. A detailed implementation plan for planning reform on major infrastructure—including transitional arrangements and a revised timetable—will be published later in the summer.

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