Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have had with the Ministry of Defence about potential involvement of Sheffield Forgemasters in the programme for small modular nuclear reactors.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
While it would not be appropriate to speculate at this time on specific commercial contracts, Great British Energy – Nuclear’s ambition is for 70% British built products across the small modular reactor fleet, including both on-site and off-site activity.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has regular dialogue with the Ministry of Defence on a range of policy matters, including increased collaboration and alignment between civil and defence nuclear capabilities to maximise associated benefits. These include driving economic growth, boosting the role of nuclear energy and developing innovative nuclear technologies.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what weight is being given to social value and regional economic growth as part of the small modular nuclear reactors programme.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy-Nuclear's (GBE-N) SMR competition evaluated bids across technical, commercial, and social value criteria, though any specific commitments would remain subject to final government approvals and GBE-N entering into contract with Rolls-Royce SMR.
GBE-N's ambition is for 70% British built products across a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) fleet, including both on-site and off-site activity.
The government wants UK supply chains to develop world-leading expertise across a range of civil nuclear activities and be competitive both domestically and internationally.
To achieve this, we will continue to engage with industry to address barriers to entry in the nuclear sector so that UK companies are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities created.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the manufacturing unions about the role of their members in the work for the small modular nuclear reactors programme.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced in November 2025, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa, on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting up to 3,000 jobs on site at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.
Ministers and officials engage regularly with industry and workforce representatives, including trade unions, through existing sector‑wide forums, and will do so regarding the SMR Programme as it progresses. Separately, GBE-N has regular engagement with trade union and nuclear supply chain representatives.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what percentage of British manufacturing content Rolls Royce committed to in their submission for the contract for small modular reactors.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As set out on 24 December (HL12986), Great British Energy-Nuclear's (GBE-N) ambition is for 70% British built products across a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) fleet, including both on-site and off-site activity.
The GBE-N SMR Technology Selection Process evaluated bids against technical, economic, and social value criteria, though any specific commitments would remain subject to final government approvals and GBE-N entering into contract with Rolls-Royce SMR.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to publish a new framework for a private sector route to market for advanced nuclear technologies.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government will provide a framework that will set out a pathway for privately led advanced nuclear projects, this framework will be published early this year.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Vallance of Balham of 9 December (HL12318), whether the 70 per cent of United Kingdom content applies to only offsite manufactured plant or includes on-site construction costs and materials.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As set out on 9 December (HL12318), Great British Energy-Nuclear's (GBE-N) ambition is for 70% British built products across the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) fleet. GBE-N’s ambition encompasses both on-site and off-site activity.
While it would not be appropriate to speculate at this time on specific commercial contracts, subject to final government approvals and contract signature with Rolls-Royce SMR, GBE-N will continue to consider how the UK supply chain can support the deployment of SMRs.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect (1) to respond to, and (2) to implement the recommendations of, the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government endorses the report’s approach and accepts the principles of all recommendations it set out.
My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister has issued a Strategic Steer which sets clear expectations for the civil, defence, and decommissioning nuclear sectors to accelerate safe and efficient delivery through proportionate regulation and stronger collaboration.
We will present a full implementation plan within three months, taking account of international obligations, national security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to use public procurement for the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor programme to develop UK nuclear supply chain capability.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced on 13 November, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting around 3,000 good jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.
Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, the project will deploy Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Ahead of contract signature, it is not possible to comment on specific SMR components or supply chain, though GBE-N's ambition is to deliver over 70% UK content across the SMR fleet.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Great British Energy – Nuclear will be able to give preference to UK suppliers in public procurement processes.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced on 13 November, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting around 3,000 good jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.
Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, the project will deploy Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Ahead of contract signature, it is not possible to comment on specific SMR components or supply chain, though GBE-N's ambition is to deliver over 70% UK content across the SMR fleet.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government where the pressure vessel and turbines for the small modular reactors announced for Wylfa will be manufactured.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced on 13 November, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting around 3,000 good jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.
Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, the project will deploy Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Ahead of contract signature, it is not possible to comment on specific SMR components or supply chain, though GBE-N's ambition is to deliver over 70% UK content across the SMR fleet.