Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Nuclear Power Sector

Tuesday 29 April 2025 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Planning for new nuclear sites is devolved to the Scottish Parliament
  • Scotland could benefit from new nuclear investment if certain blocks were removed
  • Wylfa site in Wales is considered important and under Government consideration

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Douglas McAllister Lab West Dunbartonshire
Scotland Energy
Context

The transition to net zero is a chance to create decent, high-skilled jobs for the future. That includes the next generation of small nuclear reactors.

Question

What steps he is taking to support the nuclear power sector? The transition to net zero is a chance to create decent, high-skilled jobs for the future. That includes the next generation of small nuclear reactors, which could revolutionise our energy market and deliver cleaner affordable energy. The SNP has vetoed nuclear energy projects in Scotland for almost 20 years, determined to leave Scotland behind. Is Scotland missing out on the economic opportunities that nuclear offers?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Michael Shanks)

Planning matters, including the siting of new nuclear, are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, so it is rightly for it to decide. However, I agree that Scotland is missing out on the huge potential of new nuclear. If the ideological block introduced by the SNP were lifted, billions of pounds could be invested in Scotland, with the countless skilled jobs that go with that. That could well be delivered next year if a Scottish Government are elected that take the industry and opportunity of Scotland seriously and deliver those well-paid skilled jobs—that would come by electing a Scottish Labour Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on Wylfa, only acknowledged it as an important site but did not commit to specific actions or timeline

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Q2 Llinos Medi PC Ynys Môn
Energy
Context

Data from the last year showed that Ynys Môn saw a drop of 57% in jobs linked to the nuclear industry; the worst figure for a UK constituency. Wylfa being recognised as the best site for new nuclear in Europe, but no development from the previous Government.

Question

Will the Secretary of State and the Minister give us the recognition and acknowledgment that Wylfa needs new nuclear and that that will be seen in the near future?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Michael Shanks)

Wylfa is an important site and continues to be one that the Government are considering. We will take forward those decisions in due course. As I have said to her on a number of previous occasions, we are committed to delivering the jobs that go with that and Wylfa remains an important site.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific timeline or details for new nuclear development at Wylfa beyond acknowledging it as an important site under consideration.

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