Jeremy Hunt accused of ‘£20bn gamble’ on nuclear energy and carbon capture

Campaigners say chancellor is in the grip of the fossil fuel and nuclear lobbies and is squandering taxpayers' money'

Hunt U-turns on planned cut to energy bills support

What Hunt's U-turn on energy bills support means for you

Jeremy Hunt has been accused of wagering a dangerous gamble on unproven technologies" in an effort to decarbonise Britain's energy industry after ploughing more than 20bn into a series of projects.

In his budget speech, the chancellor confirmed plans to spend the money over the next two decades on carbon capture and low carbon energy projects; announced a competition to co-fund small nuclear plants and launched a consultation to classify nuclear as environmentally sustainable".