How the Arrival of One Arctic Tern Halted Work on Entire Nuclear Plant
29th November 2025
Critical infrastructure projects can be delayed for years by the “arrival of a single Arctic tern” as Britain is “too risk adverse”, the author of a government report has said.
This week John Fingleton, former boss of the Office of Fair Trading, made headlines with his report into barriers facing nuclear power development and the revelation that more than £700 million is being spent at Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset on measures expected to save 0.083 salmon and 0.028 sea trout a year.
The 162-page report laid bare the reality of building in the UK: British nuclear plants are the most expensive ever. But Fingleton has told The Times that the issues he identified with nuclear building are systemic or wider issues.
Government priorities under the Woke Agenda are seriously screwed up.