Greg Clark was accused of having "thrown under a bus" the people of Cumbria after plans to build a new nuclear power station collapsed.

Independent MP John Woodcock (Barrow and Furness), pictured, took aim at the Business Secretary given that the £15 billion project at the Moorside site was due to create more than 20,000 jobs.

The project collapsed after Toshiba said it was pulling out of it, with the Japanese engineering giant planning to wind up its NuGen business - which was going to build three reactors at Moorside, enough to generate 7% of the UK's energy needs.

Mr Clark, replying to an urgent question, said Toshiba board members confirmed their decision was a "commercial one" before telling MPs: "The Moorside site is owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and the land will revert back to the NDA.

"It remains a potential site for nuclear new-build and the NDA will consider a range of options for its future."

Mr Woodcock replied: "And so the people of Cumbria are thrown under a bus. It is just not good enough for the Government to hide behind the idea that this is simply a commercial decision."

Mr Woodcock added: "I want to hear from the Secretary of State that surely this is not the end."

Mr Clark reiterated Toshiba's decision was based on commercial reasons, adding: "Obviously it's not possible to enter into negotiations with a counterparty who is exiting the business and does not have the financial opportunity to be able to take on this project. That has been clear, as Mr Woodcock knows, for some time."

Mr Clark added he regards the site as being available for further projects, and noted he will work with the industry and MPs.