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Business secretary John Hutton backs coal power

In a speech in London today Mr Hutton said fossil fuels are a "key source" of energy and argued other options cannot supply the UK alone.

He added that coal power could play a role while the UK seeks to reduce its carbon emissions.

"For critics, there's a belief that coal-fired power stations undermine the UK's leadership position on climate change," he said. "In fact the opposite is true."

His comments come as the government is due to decide whether to give its backing to build Britain's first new coal-fired power station in over 20 years, at Kingsnorth in Kent.

Approval was given by Medway council in January for the power station, which would be built by E.ON and consist of two generating units.

Commenting on Mr Hutton's speech, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the Kingsnorth station, if approved, must be low carbon.

"Kingsnorth should not be given the go ahead unless carbon capture and storage is part of it from day one," he said.

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