Health and safety rules holding UK infrastructure back, says writer of government report

John Fingleton’s report made reference to an acoustic fish deterrent at Hinkley Point C nuclear power plant, which costs £700m a year to operate. Photograph: EDF/PA

Overbearing health and safety rules are stopping Britain building new infrastructure, according to the economist whom Keir Starmer has cited as an inspiration for his growth strategy.

John Fingleton, who recently wrote a report for government on how to encourage developers to build new nuclear power plants, told the Guardian regulators needed to change their attitude to risk if the country was to end its long economic stagnation.