Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nuclear Power

Tuesday 18 March 2025 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The hon. Member for Fylde noted that nuclear energy is essential for meeting the UK's net zero targets and highlighted Government investment in the nuclear fuel industry.
  • The Minister acknowledged the extension of Heysham nuclear power stations and committed to working on small modular reactors for energy efficiency and economic growth.
  • The Secretary of State agreed to investigate issues related to regulatory justification for nuclear reactors, aiming to simplify processes and support timely deployment of nuclear power.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Snowden Con Fylde
Climate Energy
Context

The MP from Fylde is concerned about the strategic importance of maintaining a domestic nuclear fuel production capability in the UK, citing international competition and national security implications.

Question

Whether one agrees with the Government’s net zero targets or not, they will not be able to achieve them without nuclear energy playing a significant role. A key part of the nuclear fuel strategy is the nuclear fuel industry in this country. Given the aggressive actions of Russia and other countries pushing western commercial providers out of the market for nuclear fuel enrichment and manufacturing, it is increasingly important for national security that we develop whole-of-lifecycle nuclear fuel production domestically. When will the Government announce concrete steps to improve the entire lifecycle of nuclear power manufacturing?

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

The hon. Gentleman makes a good point. The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and, indeed, the Minister for nuclear in the other place have visited the constituency and seen the work being done there; nearly £20 million from Government grants has been invested into that work to help develop nuclear fuels which will be part of the future. Large-scale nuclear developments such as Sizewell and Hinkley, SMRs and advanced modular reactors all need to be considered and he is absolutely right to make this point.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specify when concrete steps would be announced for improving the whole-of-lifecycle manufacturing of nuclear power but referenced existing developments and funding.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Cat Smith Lab Lancaster and Wyre
Economy Energy
Context

The MP from Lancaster and Wyre references the extension of Heysham nuclear power plants, expressing constituent desire for long-term jobs in the industry. The previous Labour government built no new nuclear power plants.

Question

Many constituents were pleased to see the extension of Heysham 1 and 2 late last year. They would like long-term jobs for the future in the nuclear industry created in the north-west. Does the Minister agree that it is thanks to this Labour Government that we are ending the last government’s legacy of no new nuclear being built?

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

I completely agree. The Conservative party built no new nuclear in 14 years. Small modular reactors will bring energy efficiency and economic growth to many parts of this country. We are working at pace and will make sure that we have the answer on SMRs shortly. We will have the answer on Sizewell in the spending review, and of course nuclear will play a big role in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not specifically address long-term job creation for constituents but discussed broader plans for SMRs and Sizewell C.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Energy
Context

The MP from Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket raises concerns about regulatory delays for small modular reactors, citing a two-year delay imposed by the requirement to apply for regulatory justification.

Question

Current rules require that any reactor must apply for regulatory justification as if nuclear power was an entirely new practice instead of an existing one. This delays reactors getting online and lowering energy bills for people across the country by up to two years. Will the Secretary of State consider working with his Cabinet colleagues to simplify the system and recognise that nuclear energy technology is an existing practice, thereby accelerating the deployment of small modular reactors?

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

I will happily investigate further the issue that my hon. Friend has raised. There are two pieces of work going on in this space: the draft nuclear planning policy statement and the nuclear regulatory taskforce. We want to make things as easy as we can, and I am very happy to talk to him further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to a specific simplification of regulations but indicated willingness to investigate further.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)