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Written Question
Environment Agency: Nuclear Reactors
Friday 20th March 2026

Asked by: Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what generic design assessments the Environment Agency are currently undertaking; and when they expect each of those assessments to be completed.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environment Agency is currently carrying out two Generic Design Assessments (GDA). Holtec’s SMR 300 is currently undergoing a 2 step (Fundamental Assessment) GDA that is planned to be completed in March 2026. Rolls Royce SMR’s design is currently undergoing a full 3 step (Detailed Assessment) GDA. Rolls Royce SMR and the Environment Agency are targeting completing the GDA in 2027. We understand that Rolls-Royce SMR will provide further information to the public around the time of contract award by Great British Energy-Nuclear.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 14 Mar 2022
Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022

"I am sorry, but the noble Lord was fast asleep for the entire duration of the Minister’s speech. He really should not participate in this debate, having failed to take advantage of the opportunity to listen to it...."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 14 Mar 2022
Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022

"I had to send a note via the doorkeeper to wake up the noble Lord...."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 14 Mar 2022
Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022

"My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn for a short period during pleasure to await the resumption of the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Bill. Noble Lords should watch the annunciator; it will say when the House will resume...."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2022
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 06 Dec 2021
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]

"I thank my noble friend Lord Robathan for introducing Amendment 46 in the name of my noble friend Lord Howard of Rising, which would insert a clause that would repeal the Bill after five years. I am very grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Hayman of Ullock, for pointing out …..."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 06 Dec 2021
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]

"I do not agree with my noble friend, because the committee’s work will be ongoing, and it will also respond to changes in scientific research that may come out in the course of its many years of work. To introduce a hard stop—a hard deadline—to its work would be both …..."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 06 Dec 2021
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]

"I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Mallalieu, for moving the amendment on behalf of my noble friend Lord Mancroft. We have already debated this, but I understand my noble friend’s concerns regarding conflicts of interest and what they may mean for the committee.

We want the committee to succeed, and …..."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 06 Dec 2021
Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]

"I am afraid I am not able to give that reassurance. All I can say is that they might not be considered to be experts...."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill [HL]
Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 01 Nov 2021
Fishing: France

"We should hear from the Front Bench; there will be time for another question afterwards...."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Fishing: France
Speech in Grand Committee - Thu 21 Jan 2021
Rural Landlords and Land Letting: Reform

"That was not the Bell—it was the noble Lord’s phone...."
Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist - View Speech

View all Baroness Bloomfield of Hinton Waldrist (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Rural Landlords and Land Letting: Reform