High water  

Just before Parliament broke up, we had the Annual Energy Statement in the Commons from Chris Huhne, which was mostly dominated by discussion of nuclear power and quite how he’d manage to square being in charge of implementing a pro-nuclear energy policy whilst still being against it. I was called right at the end, and asked about the curious omission of any mention of the Severn Barrage. I must admit I misheard the SoS’s answer: I thought he said they were ‘committed’ to the Feasibility Study, which I thought was a strange choice of words. But he said they’re ‘considering it’ and a written answer from his junior Minister confirms that an announcement is expected to be made soon. (See below for both). I’ll be writing to Chris Huhne on Tuesday, urging him not abandon the project. I’ll also be tabling a parliamentary question, asking when...