"The cost of cleaning up Britain's toxic nuclear sites has shot up by £6bn, with the Government and regulators accused this weekend of 'incompetence' in their efforts to manage the country's legacy of radioactive waste.

Anti-nuclear campaigners and union leaders have been incensed by the increase, which was highlighted by Labour after a report by the Office for Budget Responsibility, which is charged with independently analysing public finances.

Gary Smith, the GMB union's national secretary for energy, said last night that "the blame lies squarely at the door of government" for the cost increases."

Mark Leftly and Oliver Wright report for the Independent September 7, 2014. [2]