GRAHAME Morris informs us that there will be “enough offshore wind energy to supply nearly all the homes in the UK from an extra 64,000 turbines” (HAS, Jan 14). He omits four words – when the wind blows.

Over recent weeks we have had many very cold, but windless, days.

If we were to rely on wind turbines to power our heating and lighting we would be in serious trouble. It doesn’t matter how many turbines you have, reliable back-up is needed to provide enough power to keep the whole UK going.

Currently, we rely on coal and Russian gas – an unsustainable situation – so what are the alternatives? Of the tried and tested alternatives, only nuclear power fits the bill, although the likes of tide power and hydroelectricity may provide answers in the future. So long as security and safety continue to be as high as they are in the nuclear industry, this is the route to take.

Mr Morris made his wind energy comments in an attempt to show how the failing Labour Government is showing innovation in the labour market.

Pity it was not so innovative when 1,000 Black and Decker jobs and 500 Electrolux jobs were transferred from Spennymoor to Eastern Europe over the past decade.

Dave Brothers, UK Independence Party Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, Bishop Auckland.