Boris Johnson's energy strategy delayed AGAIN as top Tories 'split over nuclear power'

It is the second time the Prime Minister's much-hyped long-term energy strategy in the wake of the Ukraine-Russia war has been delayed. Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak are thought to be at loggerheads over investment UK nuclear production

Boris Johnson's energy strategy for Britain has been delayed again amid reports of a row between No10 and the Treasury over investing in new nuclear.

Downing Street had been expected to unveil a new energy master plan as the UK aims to wean itself off Russian gas after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

But the Government has admitted the strategy will not be published this week as previously planned.

It comes amid a flurry of reports that the Prime Minister are at loggerheads over funding major expansion plans for new nuclear.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said on Monday: "Obviously this is something that is right to take the time to make sure we have a detailed and comprehensive strategy, and we'll set out our plans when it's ready.

"But it is something that we are working on it at speed as you'd expect."

The PM was due to meet nuclear industry leaders today to discuss how to accelerate the launch of new plants.

Nuclear plants currently provide around 15% of Britain's electricity but all but one are scheduled to close by 2030.

The Financial Times said government officials had been drawing up plans that could target a fivefold increase in capacity by 2050.

But there were concerns over how any new plants would be funded.

The UK's first new nuclear plant in more than two decades, Hinkley Point C, is expected to come online in 2026 and the government has pledged up to £1.7bn towards a new large scale project.

This story is being updated.