Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made with regard to their small modular reactor programme.
Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) is continuing to drive forward the UK’s flagship small modular reactor (SMR) programme.
GBE-N and Rolls-Royce SMR (RR SMR) entered into a Technology Partner contract earlier this year and are now jointly undertaking design work to progress the Gwyndod SMR project on Anglesey in North Wales.
GBE-N is also focused on reindustrialisation opportunities and delivering on its ambition that 70% of supply chain products are British built across the SMR fleet. To date, it has awarded nearly ÂŁ900m in supply chain contracts, with over 70% going to UK-registered companies.
GBE-N is working closely with RR SMR on its supply chain plan; it was recently announced that Siemens Energy will support UK jobs by manufacturing RR SMR steam turbine components in Newcastle.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to resume uranium conversion in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recognises the importance of conversion for our nuclear industry and has a stated ambition to re-establish conversion services in the UK. In 2023, through the Nuclear Fuel Fund, we invested £13m, match-funded by Westinghouse, into their conversion project at the Springfield’s site in Preston.
The UK continues to be supportive of this ambition, and the role UK based conversion can play in delivering secure and reliable fuel supply chains.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in implementing the recommendations of the Fingleton review.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham
This Government is taking forward all of the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce’s recommendations and has published an implementation plan. Delivery is already under way, including establishing a lead regulator model and taking forward reforms to cut duplication and improve proportionality.
Our reforms focus on outcomes over process, accelerating nuclear deployment while maintaining the UK’s robust safety and environmental standards.
Delivery is overseen by a cross sector Nuclear Regulatory Implementation Panel, ensuring accountability and pace. I will chair this Panel with the first meeting scheduled for 30 June.
The Government response commits to completing implementation by the end of 2027, supporting faster, more cost-effective delivery of new nuclear projects.
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 the UK's offshore wind capacity is generated by machinery manufactured in the UK; and what steps they are taking to increase UK manufacturing for future offshore wind projects.
Answered by Lord Whitehead
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with my noble Friend.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.