A SENIOR Copeland Conservative has said that the former energy minister is “not up to speed” on the Government’s clean energy ambitions after he claimed there is “zero chance” of new nuclear “any point in the next decade.”

Former Business Energy and Industrial Strategy minister Jesse Norman was one of the back-bench Tory MPs submitting a letter of no confidence in the Prime Minister this week.

He told Mr Johnson that “Sensible planning has been replaced by empty rhetoric” under his leadership.

In his letter, Mr Norman attempted to pour cold water on hopes that sites like Moorside in Copeland and Hinkley will see new nuclear in coming years.

“As a former energy minister I can tell you that there is, for example, zero chance that this or any government will be able to build a nuclear power station a year at any point in the next decade.”

Copeland Labour called the jibe “a blow that will be felt across West Cumbria.”

READ MORE: Copeland MP joins Rolls-Royce SMR for site visit

A contraction in jobs is expected at the Sellafield site in the coming years as the decommissioning mission ramps down, meaning that the employment hopes of many rest on the future of clean energy in Cumbria.

Labour member of Copeland Council’s Strategic Nuclear Energy Board Joseph Ghayouba said: “He's confirmed what local people have been saying for a long time. The Conservative Party has been lying to the people of Copeland for years.

“Promising new nuclear and none ever appears. To get elected Trudy Harrison promised to secure Moorside then broke her promise and said there wasnt a "magic money tree" for the project. Now it's clear the Conservatives have no plan to develop new nuclear in Copeland."

READ MORE: Rolls-Royce reaffirm interest in opening new nuclear in Cumbria

Copeland’s portfolio holder for nuclear and commercial services David Moore said: “I know Jesse Norman was the former energy minister, that was a number of years ago, he’s clearly not up to date with the work that’s going on.”

The Conservative councillor said: “I believe we are committed to new nuclear. We know that we’re going to get an announcement on fusion this year.

“We also know there’s a commitment to build 16 SMR reactors here in the UK.”

Cllr Moore added that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and Rolls Royce are now committed to working together “to bring the first of a kind SMR” to land near Sellafield.

READ MORE: Copeland Council and Cumbria LEP to pitch for STEP fusion reactor at Moorside