Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Civil Nuclear Road Map

11 January 2024 · 25 other contributors

Opened by Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

Energy

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Andrew Bowie raised concerns about civil nuclear road map in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • UK published a civil nuclear road map, a consultation on alternative routes to market, and a consultation on siting new nuclear power stations.
  • The documents aim to reinforce the UK's leadership in the civil nuclear renaissance.
  • UK sets a goal to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear power in Britain by 2050.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Andrew Bowie

With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I wish to make a statement on civil nuclear power in the UK. Today, we have published three key documents that reinforce the UK’s position as a leader in the civil nuclear renaissance: a civil nuclear road map, a consultation on alternative routes to market, and a consultation on a proposed policy for siting new nuclear power stations. That sets us on a path towards deploying up to 24 GW of nuclear power in Britain by 2050 as part of a cleaner, cheaper and more secure energy system for the future. It is the biggest investment in more than 70 years. The civil nuclear road map establishes our vision for a vibrant British nuclear sector, providing detail on policies that we are pursuing to enable delivery, covering areas such as siting, regulation, financing, skills development, and waste management. We commit to reform regulations, financing, and decommissioning of civil nuclear power, potentially cutting approval times by up to 50% for reactors already approved overseas. A commitment to invest £300 million in producing clean, green high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel is also announced. The road map sets out long-term ambitions and timelines for various technologies including SMRs, AMRs, and gigawatt-scale projects, offering opportunities for decarbonisation across the energy sector. We have set up Great British Nuclear as an arm’s length body to help deliver new nuclear projects, alongside launching a consultation on alternative routes to market for private sector involvement. A public consultation is also launched on siting new nuclear power stations in England and Wales, with proposals for designating a nuclear national policy statement by 2025, providing a planning policy framework for SMRs, AMRs, and traditional gigawatt-scale projects. Additional sites will be required for new nuclear projects, with greater flexibility in site selection to enable innovative solutions.

Other contributors (25)
  • Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

    Question

    The Minister committed to cutting bills with his policies, but when will these actually affect people’s energy costs? What is the timetable for the final investment decision on Sizewell C, given it was promised by the end of this Parliament?

    Minister reply

    Answers not provided in the transcript.

  • Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

    Question

    What is the current status and future timeline for Hinkley Point C, which was originally promised to be delivered by 2017?

    Minister reply

    Answers not provided in the transcript.

  • Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

    Question

    What is the timetable for concluding the competition on SMRs, given recent delays reported by developers and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority?

    Minister reply

    Answers not provided in the transcript.

  • Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

    Question

    What measures are being taken to ensure that the UK retains critical skills in its nuclear sector, and what steps are addressing safety and security concerns about decommissioning processes?

    Minister reply

    Answers not provided in the transcript.

  • Sarah Jones Lab Croydon West

    Question

    Questions the Minister about timelines for reducing energy bills, final investment decision on Sizewell C, progress at Hinkley Point C, SMR competition timetable, skills retention in the industry, and safety concerns at decommissioning sites like Sellafield.

    Minister reply

    The Minister welcomes Labour's support for nuclear power but notes that all current projects have been delivered by Conservative Governments. He confirms the commitment to a final investment decision on Sizewell C by the end of this Parliament, progress at Hinkley Point C, and an upcoming SMR competition launch within weeks. The Minister also highlights efforts to encourage more people into high-skilled jobs in the nuclear industry through initiatives like the nuclear skills task force.

  • Greg Clark

    Question

    Welcomes the publication of the civil nuclear road map and asks specifically about the new site approval mechanism allowing SMRs by the 2050 deadline.

    Minister reply

    The Minister confirms that the new siting strategy will cover all technologies, including SMRs, AMRs, and gigawatt-scale reactors. He welcomes the support from his right hon. Friend.

  • Richard Thomson

    Question

    Questions the Minister about respecting the devolution settlement regarding nuclear power in Scotland and whether decommissioning liabilities will fall on private companies.

    Minister reply

    The Minister reiterates that while respecting the devolution settlement, he urges a change of direction by the Scottish Government to join the global nuclear renaissance. He emphasises that there is no net zero without nuclear and highlights the benefits for Scotland's economy and environment from future investment in nuclear power.

  • Philip Dunne Con Wells

    Question

    Today’s statement provides welcome clarity about the Government’s road map for the delivery and revival of new nuclear energy capacity, and I will be writing on behalf of my Committee to raise some points about the SMR competition. What steps is the Minister taking to build a broad consensus behind this essential component of delivering net zero?

    Minister reply

    The Minister acknowledges the importance of building a broad consensus for further investment in nuclear. He expresses appreciation for Dunne's support and highlights that other parties are also coming around to accepting nuclear as key in reaching net zero goals.

  • John Spellar Lab Erdington

    Question

    The small modular reactor assessment is already behind the Government’s own timetable. Can we learn from the vaccine taskforce how to accelerate process while maintaining safety? Will he now get a move on so that we can build British modular nuclear reactors using British workers?

    Minister reply

    The Minister asserts that they have not stopped since launching GBN and the small modular reactor drawdown competition in the summer. He highlights that there is no equivalent of the American political industrial machine, as the programme is ahead of any comparable ones globally.

  • Trudy Harrison Con Furness

    Question

    Today’s road map refers to the A595 between Barrow and Workington. Will he give his absolute assurance that he will remember where the journey began —with the commitment from my community—and ensure that is at the forefront of decision making on future missions?

    Minister reply

    The Minister assures Harrison that Cumbria’s expertise and learning in nuclear development will be at the forefront of their decisions.

  • Bernard Jenkin Con Harwich and North Essex

    Question

    I welcome the intention to streamline planning processes and regulation. Will there be assurance that if there is new nuclear development at Bradwell in Essex, it will not affect the marine protected area of the Blackwater estuary?

    Minister reply

    The Minister assures Jenkin that sites for future nuclear development will adhere to stringent environmental standards.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    Question

    Will a renewables road map soon follow the statement to address challenges and ensure that the Government do not lose their competitive advantage in offshore wind development?

    Minister reply

    The Minister states that they are investing heavily in renewable technologies, but also believes that a broad range of technologies is necessary to meet net zero goals.

  • Olivia Blake Lab Sheffield Hallam

    Question

    What lessons will be learned from previous and current projects on value for money? What more can be done to support manufacturing in this area right across the UK?

    Minister reply

    The Minister confirms that building up the UK’s supply chain is essential, and they are always looking at value for money for the British taxpayer.

  • Geoffrey Clifton-Brown Con North Cotswolds

    Question

    I agree with my hon. Friend that decommissioning costs need to be better allocated and properly estimated.

    Minister reply

    The Minister agrees that ensuring value for money is crucial, especially in projects run by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

  • Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd

    Question

    Can the Minister confirm that Trawsfynydd, with its potential 550 jobs, remains a possible location for an SMR in the near future? Will he please visit Trawsfynydd?

    Minister reply

    The Minister confirms Trawsfynydd's exciting potential as a site for an SMR and expresses willingness to visit.

  • Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North

    Question

    As co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on nuclear energy, I warmly welcome today’s publication of the long-awaited civil nuclear road map. On large-scale projects, why does the road map state that timelines and processes for a new project cannot be set out until after the Sizewell C final investment decision? Might work begin now to maximize time before 2050?

    Minister reply

    Work is already beginning on identifying future sites for gigawatt power stations. Further announcements will follow in due course.

  • Jill Mortimer

    Question

    How does this announcement affect the future of nuclear at Hartlepool? Can you confirm a guarantee for a reactor there?

    Minister reply

    The road map will deliver clear identification of what can be delivered, where and how. This means a bright future for nuclear in Hartlepool.

  • Deidre Brock

    Question

    Why does the UK Government largely ignore tidal energy despite its potential? Is the economic case for slow, expensive nuclear viable?

    Minister reply

    Tidal technologies received funding through the last auction round. The Government are investing in wind, solar, hydrogen, CCS, and nuclear, providing jobs across Scotland.

  • Damian Collins

    Question

    Does the road map recognise that gigawatt reactors are large while SMRs are smaller? Could Dungeness be suitable for SMR technologies?

    Minister reply

    We will look at every site and possible site to judge them on the basis of what type of technology could be built there.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    How can Northern Ireland benefit from this once-in-a-generation investment into new nuclear?

    Minister reply

    I would be delighted to meet him to discuss how Northern Ireland and his constituents in Strangford could benefit from investment in skills and the supply chain.

  • Katherine Fletcher

    Question

    Can Lancashire export its nous, skills, capability, and fuel to the world following the £300 million investment in Springfields?

    Minister reply

    Absolutely. The United Kingdom will remain among a handful of nations committed and able to work across the entire fuel supply chain.

  • Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire

    Question

    Does nuclear have less impact on land use compared to other technologies like solar?

    Minister reply

    My hon. Friend is absolutely right about the footprint and the comparable impact on land of nuclear compared to other technologies.

  • Peter Aldous

    Question

    Will there be investment in skills at East Coast College and infrastructure, such as in the port of Lowestoft?

    Minister reply

    Absolutely. The benefits that accrue locally through investment in nuclear are unprecedented. I will visit East Anglia again on Monday to see progress.

  • Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham

    Question

    Does he agree with me that it is also important that local authorities play a part in encouraging SMR development?

    Minister reply

    I completely agree. Local authorities have a key role in driving forward interest and investment in small modular reactors.

Shadow Comment

Sarah Jones

I thank the Minister for advance sight of his statement. The energy bills crisis has exposed vulnerabilities in Britain’s energy system and the need to build more home-grown power, including new nuclear which Labour supports as part of a future energy mix. However, the last Labour Government identified sites for new nuclear in 2009, while this one has seen delays, such as the six-year wait in west Cumbria for a decision on nuclear since plans collapsed. The road map is two years late and leaves unanswered questions about practical action. Questions raised include when policies will cut bills, the timetable for Sizewell C’s final investment decision (promised by end of this Parliament), Hinkley Point C’s delivery date (originally promised by 2017), SMR competition completion timeline, measures to ensure critical skills retention in the nuclear sector, and safety concerns about decommissioning processes. Labour supports new nuclear but calls for a full-throttle investment in all forms of clean power to cut bills and achieve energy independence.

Get updates like this by email
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy