MANUFACTURERS have welcomed the Government’s decision to grasp the nuclear nettle.

EEF South, which represents industry across Kent, Medway and the region, said the nuclear option in the Energy Review would help deliver "a competitive, balanced and secure supply of energy".

David Seall, chief executive, said: "This is the only response possible to the dual challenge of energy supply and climate change.

"To build on this it is now vital that we develop mechanisms at both national and European level to encourage all sections of the economy to improve their energy efficiency and send out a positive signal to potential investors in low-carbon sources of energy."

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), which is in charge of Chatham Maritime and other regeneration projects across the county, said the review was a significant positive step towards a more secure energy future.

SEEDA chairman Jim Brathwaite said: "I am pleased to see that the Government has recognised the need to move rapidly on several fronts, supporting an energy mix and scaling-up other measures on energy efficiency and demand management."