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Question
Can you confirm that the final investment decision for Sizewell C has not yet been made? Will there be a more precise date when we will be informed about the total Government investment and private capital raised?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State confirms that the final investment decision on the project, including through the capital raise from the private sector, is expected to be completed in the summer.
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Question
Why has just one technology been awarded instead of two as previously planned? Will he commit to going faster on SMRs?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State does not provide a direct answer but emphasises the commitment to making Britain a clean energy superpower and focusing on investments that ensure reliable, secure, and cheap energy.
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Question
Welcomes the commitment to Sizewell C, SMRs, and AMRs, and asks for confirmation of the plans to expand nuclear generation.
Minister reply
Agrees with the assessment that nuclear has an essential part to play alongside other clean energy technologies. Emphasises the need to address electricity demand doubling by 2050.
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Question
Welcomes investment in nuclear but criticises delays and costs, asking for transparency on how this will be paid for.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the criticism of past Conservative governments for delay and supports all clean energy technologies. Emphasises the need to balance all types of renewable energy to address energy security and decarbonisation.
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Question
Thanks for unlocking land at Moorside for clean energy projects, asks about regulatory taskforce.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the work with local partners to drive the project through and agrees on improving standards of regulation.
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Question
Welcomes nuclear investment but criticises inefficient technologies such as solar.
Minister reply
Acknowledges disagreement, states that solar and wind offer cheap power and are crucial for tackling the climate crisis.
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Question
Welcomes investment in fusion at West Burton and asks about regional job creation.
Minister reply
Acknowledges support from local constituencies, states that this is crucial for areas needing good jobs.
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Question
Asks about the roles of Sizewell C and SMRs in long-term plans, queries Chinese involvement.
Minister reply
Assures that China will have no part in any nuclear projects. Supports both large reactors and SMRs but emphasises transparency on regulatory aspects.
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Question
How will the Government hold Rolls-Royce to account for its commitments to build SMRs in Britain and ensure that it delivers great jobs and investment right across the UK?
Minister reply
We will be negotiating terms with Rolls-Royce over the coming months, and ensuring maximum British content in manufacturing and construction is a key part of our discussions.
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Question
Why has no money been found for Scotland’s Acorn carbon capture project when nearly £40 billion can be found for English energy projects?
Minister reply
We are in favour of the Acorn project and will say more about that in the coming weeks. The SNP should rethink its position on nuclear power, which is crucial for jobs, investment and clean energy.
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Question
How does today’s announcement support nuclear communities such as hers in Morecambe and Lunesdale?
Minister reply
The new planning framework opens up possibilities for new nuclear, and we are open to dialogue with private sector partners interested in building at other sites.
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Question
Is a third nuclear power station based on a Chinese design still possible at Bradwell-on-Sea, or could it be allocated an SMR?
Minister reply
We are not going to have China building our nuclear power stations. However, good sites like Bradwell will always be possibilities.
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Question
Will my right hon. Friend confirm that Great British Energy Nuclear will prioritise Wylfa?
Minister reply
Wylfa is an incredibly important site with huge potential, and it will be considered as part of the SMR fleet decision process.
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Question
Will my right hon. Friend commit to using forgings from Sheffield Forgemasters in the first-of-its-type SMR and build a supply chain for British workers?
Minister reply
I believe Sheffield Forgemasters has an incredibly important role to play, especially in providing key manufacturing capabilities.
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Question
Is Oldbury still a candidate site for SMRs, and what is the timeline for decision-making?
Minister reply
Oldbury is one of the candidates under consideration, and Great British Energy Nuclear will look at the right place for the SMR fleet in due course.
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Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that today’s decision is good news for Derby and what are the benefits for UK workers, particularly those in the East Midlands region?
Minister reply
Today’s decision is excellent news for Derby, and it will create significant jobs throughout the supply chain, including exports opportunities.
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Question
Why are we going to spend billions of pounds importing carbon fuels instead of developing our own North Sea resources?
Minister reply
We must get off insecure fossil fuels as quickly as possible, and nuclear has a critical role alongside renewables. Existing North Sea fields will be kept open for their lifetime.
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Question
How many new jobs will be created by today’s announcement, and what conversations have been had with workplace representatives?
Minister reply
Sizewell alone will create 10,000 jobs at peak and 1,500 apprenticeships. We intend to uphold good safety standards and strong trade union traditions in the nuclear industry.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State ensure that if we will not have nuclear power stations, we can at least have jobs in the supply chain?
Minister reply
The SNP’s stance on nuclear is costly to Scotland. A Labour Government would advocate for nuclear and support a robust supply chain.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State assure the public that the construction phase of Sizewell C will not be funded by increases to people’s bills?
Minister reply
The regulated asset base system involves bill payers but we believe it cuts costs compared with Hinkley Point C. However, I am concerned about the hon. Gentleman's opposition to various forms of clean power.
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Question
Will the Government demand that jobs go to places such as Barnoldswick, rather than being offshored?
Minister reply
I am sure that Rolls-Royce will want to create jobs in places like Barnoldswick. We are committed to ensuring local benefits from this programme.
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Question
How can businesses such as Capula link in at the earliest stages with the Government's plans for investment?
Minister reply
We need to ensure that the supply chain benefits. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman could furnish my Department with details so we can think about how such companies can benefit.
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Question
How will today’s projects help to reduce energy bills for people in Heywood and Middleton North?
Minister reply
This is about planning for the long term to get off the rollercoaster of fossil fuels. If Sizewell C had been up, bill payers would have saved £4 billion during the Ukraine crisis.
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Question
What guarantees are in place to ensure that jobs go to local people rather than overseas contractors?
Minister reply
There is a commitment around 70% of the supply chain spending being in the UK, and my Department will ensure accountability on companies benefiting from public money.
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Question
Does he agree that Scotland’s opposition to nuclear energy is turning away billions of pounds of investment and thousands of high-skilled jobs?
Minister reply
The SNP Scottish Government's opposition to nuclear energy makes no sense. People in Scotland will be looking at these announcements and wondering why they are not benefiting.
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Question
How does he propose to ensure that the baseload is provided during the interim period before SMRs come online?
Minister reply
We need a combination of things to meet power needs, including accelerating delivery of Hinkley Point C. The decisions today do not affect the UK-Morocco power project.
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Question
What is the Department's assessment of new technological developments to reduce energy waste, such as underground thermal energy storage solutions?
Minister reply
I suggest that a Minister from my Department should meet the hon. Friend and the company concerned about the potential involved.
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Question
How does he propose to fill the gap before SMRs come online, and what is his assessment of nuclear fusion's timeline?
Minister reply
We are looking at various ways to meet power needs. On nuclear fusion, there have been important breakthroughs in the UK, but predictions vary on when it will provide energy.
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Question
What is his Department doing to help realise Project Arthur at Trawsfynydd?
Minister reply
I need to check the answer as it is a serious question. Let me write to her to give her a proper answer.
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Question
Energy security is important. Will the right hon. Gentleman consider food security alongside energy security, reconsidering the use of good-quality farmland for solar in favour of nuclear?
Minister reply
We are operating under previous Government’s planning guidance regarding agricultural land use. We need all clean energy resources—solar, onshore and offshore wind, and nuclear—and I am for all of the above.
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Question
Today's £2.5 billion investment in SMRs is fantastic news for the country, creating jobs and reducing energy bills. Will the Secretary of State ensure that this growth benefits Derby by building on existing technologies at Rolls-Royce Submarines?
Minister reply
Rolls-Royce winning the competition makes Derby proud and excited about young people's opportunities in Derby and across the wider region.
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Question
What are the costs involved in this project, including a private finance initiative element? How will nuclear waste be disposed of, and who will pay decommissioning costs?
Minister reply
Decommissioning is included at the beginning of the financing model. Total costs will be laid out when the final investment decision is made.
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Question
Will the Secretary of State ensure that benefits are felt across all communities by using a predominantly UK supply chain, and support nuclear fuel provision, waste disposal, and reuse of stockpiled waste products?
Minister reply
Across the lifecycle of nuclear, there are important economic opportunities. Realising this potential is a constant theme.
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Question
Why is GB Energy Nuclear based in Warrington? When do you expect meaningful deployment of modular reactors?
Minister reply
GB Energy Nuclear builds on Great British Nuclear, also located in Warrington. Deployment is expected in the early to mid-2030s.
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Question
Do you agree that jobs in the nuclear industry are good and well paid due to strong relationships between business, trade unions, and Government?
Minister reply
Nuclear offers a model of good employee relations with a role for trade unions ensuring safety and guaranteeing terms and conditions.
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Question
How will investment in colleges and skills encourage applications from local areas for new jobs and apprenticeships?
Minister reply
The impact at Hinkley Point C on the local economy reflects massive opportunities, which we must exploit. Plans include starting a local college.
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Question
Does this announcement bring back secure jobs in Gateshead for the nuclear industry?
Minister reply
We should embrace bringing back good, long-term secure jobs that people can take pride in, as part of the nuclear industry's great tradition.
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Question
Does the Secretary of State agree that large infrastructure projects offer huge apprenticeship opportunities for my region? Will he commit to meeting me and the Mayor to discuss Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station's role?
Minister reply
I look forward to discussing this with him, given the huge potential of new prototype fusion plant.
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Question
Will UK companies secure contracts for materials and manpower? How will Government ensure each area benefits from massive investment?
Minister reply
There is a four-nations approach to the supply chain contracts. Northern Ireland will benefit significantly, with thousands of contracts.
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Question
Does my right hon. Friend welcome today’s huge public investment in nuclear and nuclear fusion, relying on cutting-edge research at the Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre?
Minister reply
We should celebrate our history by building the future for nuclear.