The UK government this week encouraged investors to build a multi-billion pound fleet of new nuclear reactors and pondered proposals for the disposal of nuclear waste. At a conference on Thursday, John Hutton, the business secretary, announced government initiatives to help the nuclear energy sector, including the creation of a dedicated nuclear development unit within his department and a new forum bringing together government and industry.

In FT.com’s audio slideshow Peter Bleasdale of Nexia Solutions walks FT photographer Charlie Bibby through the company’s research facility at Sellafield in north-west England, which is to be at the heart of a proposed new National Nuclear Laboratory.