More than half of people (52 per cent) questioned for a poll commissioned
by Newsnight believe it is wrong for the Government
to consider nuclear power as an energy source for the future.
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The results of the ICM poll will be unveiled on the flagship 91Èȱ¬ TWO
current affairs programme tonight at 10.30pm in a special nuclear debate.
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The poll asked whether respondents thought it would be right or wrong
for the Government to consider nuclear power as an energy source for
the future.
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The results show that 39 per cent agreed it was right.
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A total of 9 per cent responded that they did not know.
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The survey also asked which sources of energy respondents believed
was the most feasible way of meeting the UK's future energy demands,
while reducing carbon dioxide emissions. A total of 57 per cent of those
polled chose renewable sources such as wave, tidal, solar and wind power.
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The poll found that 21 per cent of those questioned believed nuclear
power stations were the most feasible, compared to 12% for coal/gas
power stations. Again, 9% said they did not know.
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The debate on nuclear power will take up two thirds of tonight's programme
and will be presented by Jeremy Paxman from the Science
Museum.
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It comes on the day the Royal Society examines Britain's energy policy
and any actions that need to be taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions,
on the eve of the Queen's Speech.
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The debate will include a panel of leading politicians, policy makers,
nuclear industry experts, academics and environmentalists including
Malcolm Wicks, Minister of State for Energy; David
Willetts, Shadow Secretary of State for Productivity, Energy
and Industry; and Andrew Stunell, Liberal Democrat
MP.
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Notes to Editors
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ICM polled 1,004 people over the last weekend.
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