James Moore: Government's handling of Hinkley Point raises questions

The Chancellor’s out in China, so his spin doctors conjured up a bit of bombast to make the trip look worthwhile.

Announcing a £2 billion loan guarantee to provide some fuel to the stuttering attempt to create the first of a new generation of nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point in Somerset, they twittered about an “unprecedented collaboration in the UK and China on the building of new nuclear power stations”.

Sacre Bleu! So surely the French, who are leading the project, will now say oui? Peut-être.

Having already admitted that the controversial project’s completion date will be delayed, EDF is in no hurry.

The Government has pledged a controversial price guarantee, and so much of its time, energy and credibility on getting this away, that it knows it can afford to sit on its hands and see if it there aren’t any more sweeteners to be squeezed out.

Nuclear power is a good idea in principle. It even has the backing of some environmentalists these days.

But given the way this project has been handled, Hinkley Point is providing cheap fuel for sceptics.