Speaking on behalf of 13,000 workers across the nuclear industry, Deputy General Secretary Garry Graham said: "This is excellent news for the local economy around Somerset, where the power plant will be built, and the UK economy as a whole.

"New nuclear generation will be a crucial part of the UK's future energy mix, ensuring we have sufficient capacity and security of supply as well as helping to meet our decarbonisation targets.

"Agreement on the strike price will provide a platform for the investment needed and inject confidence for those seeking to back an industry where the UK has an opportunity to be an international world leader."

Graham said that by giving the green light to the UK's first new nuclear station in a generation, the government has started a process that will see £16 billion investment in the south west, the creation of 25,000 jobs and ultimately seven per cent low-carbon base load generation.

"Linking this deal to plans to build a second reactor at Sizewell C in Suffolk opens the door to a much-needed fleet of new nuclear build for the UK. The deal is competitive compared to the cost of future gas generation and other low carbon energy sources. It has the potential to create significant savings for households in the future."