UK Government needs to urgently inspect ageing UK nuclear reactors and cancel the new nuclear build programme in the wake of the exlosions at the Fukushima nuclear power station in Japan.

In Europe we note that both the German and the Swiss Governments are putting an immediate moratorium on the decision to extend the life of their ageing fleet of nuclear reactors.

We ask the UK Government to urgently review the recent decisions to extend the life of a number of its own ageing nuclear reactors, such as at Wylfa and at Oldbury.

We also ask that the recent review announced by Chris Huhne of nuclear safety is coupled with a decision to seek a full cancellation of any further development of a UK new nuclear build programme.

The public deserve to have a safe and healthy energy policy and stark questions need to be answered now about the safety of nuclear power.

Renewable energy, microgeneration and energy efficiency are a sensible and enlightened alternative energy policy that the UK should pursue with vigour and imagination.

We therefore ask Chris Huhne and the UK Government to think seriously about not taking any more unnecessary risks with nuclear power and go rather for an achievable clean, green and ultimately safe renewable energy policy.

Bailie George Regan, Chair of UK and Ireland Nuclear Free Local Authorities (on behalf of the NFLA Steering Committee)

Kate Hudson, General Secretary, UK Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Alan Mackinnon, Chair, CND Scotland

Jill Gough, CND Cymru

Dr Paul Dorfman, Co-ordinator, Nuclear Consulting Group

Ron Bailey, No Need for New Nuclear Group

Professor Andy Blowers, Bradwell Against New Nuclear Group

Val Mainwood, Bradwell for Renewable Energy

Ruth Balogh, West Cumbria and North Lakes Friends of the Earth

Martin Forwood, Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive Environment

Marianne Birkby, Radiation Free Lakeland

Gisela Reynolds, Heysham Anti Nuclear Alliance

Reg Illingworth, Shepperdine Against Nuclear Expansion

Dr Carl Clowes, People Against Wylfa B

Joan Girling, Communities Against Nuclear Expansion

Barrie Botley. Kent Against a Radioactive Environment

Rilba Jones, Humberside Action Against Child Cancers

Peter Burt, Nuclear Information Services

Pete Roche, no2nuclearpower.org

Richard Bramhall, Low Level Radiation Campaign

Lydia Meryll, SERA