Tories plan big expansion of wind farms ‘to protect national security’

Planning rules to be relaxed so that renewables and nuclear power can boost energy independence after Ukraine invasion

A massive expansion of wind farms across the UK is now needed for national security reasons, the business secretary has declared, as, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the government considers sweeping changes to planning laws to improve Britain's energy independence.

Boris Johnson is planning to unveil a radical new energy strategy" within a fortnight to ensure the UK can meet its domestic needs from a mix of renewables and nuclear. The war in Ukraine has brought further huge rises in global fossil fuel prices and exposed countries' dependence on overseas supplies.