Ministers have confirmed that the government’s plans for new nuclear power stations are to be delayed after a High Court judge last week ordered Tony Blair to rethink his flagship energy reform.

Alistair Darling, trade and industry secretary, told MPs on Thursday that the energy white paper, which had been planned for the end of March, was now likely to be published in early May, though it could come out earlier. It would at the same time ssue a new consultation document “endeavouring to meet the court’s requirements”.