Lord Jones of Penybont

The Government actively monitors advanced nuclear developments in other countries for international best practice that could support the government’s missions.

The costs of nuclear regulatory services, like Generic Design Assessment, are charged to companies in regulation. The Government part-funded 3 companies to undertake GDA for their Small Modular Reactor designs through the Low-Cost Nuclear Challenge and Future Nuclear Enabling Fund grant schemes. These are Rolls-Royce SMR, GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Holtec Britain Ltd.

Looking forward, the government is providing a pathway for privately-led advanced nuclear projects. Great British Energy - Nuclear has been tasked with assessing proposals within a new framework, to be published shortly, with the National Wealth Fund exploring potential investment opportunities and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero exploring revenue support for viable projects.

I refer my noble Friend to the answer given by my noble Friend Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 8th May 2025 to Question HL6800.

The Government took the decision to immobilise the UK’s civil separated plutonium inventory based on strategic, economic, technical and safety and security considerations. Immobilisation will put the material into a form which both reduces the long-term safety and security burden during storage and ensures it is suitable for disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF). Implementing a long-term solution for plutonium is essential to dealing with the UK’s nuclear legacy and leaving the environment safer for future generations. Furthermore, all current and planned UK reactors use uranium-based fuels.

The Government is providing a pathway for privately-led advanced nuclear projects. Great British Energy - Nuclear has been tasked with assessing proposals within a new framework, to be published shortly, with the National Wealth Fund exploring potential investment opportunities and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero exploring revenue support for viable projects.

Officials from both governments continue to work collaboratively on the Cardiff Central station improvement project, alongside partners from Transport for Wales and Network Rail, and overseen by Wales Rail Board.

The Department of Transport continues to engage closely with the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) in developing its proposal for world-class research, testing and certification site in South Wales. Department for Transport officials contribute through the cross-government GCRE steering group, which also includes representatives from the Department for Business and Trade and Welsh Government, to discuss options for Government support and to ensure alignment with the Government’s priorities such as the Industrial Strategy. Partnership with devolved governments will make the Industrial Strategy a UK wide effort and support the considerable sectoral strengths of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Department of Transport continues to engage closely with the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE) in developing its proposal for world-class research, testing and certification site in South Wales. Department for Transport officials contribute through the cross-government GCRE steering group, which also includes representatives from the Department for Business and Trade and Welsh Government, to discuss options for Government support and to ensure alignment with the Government’s priorities such as the Industrial Strategy. Partnership with devolved governments will make the Industrial Strategy a UK wide effort and support the considerable sectoral strengths of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Officials from the Department are working closely with the General Medical Council to develop the necessary legislation to modernise the legislative framework for doctors, as part of our professional regulation reform programme.

We anticipate being in a position to consult on this legislation, which will be made using the affirmative procedure under powers granted in Section 60 of the Health Act 1999, in late 2025.

We recognise that clinical negligence is an important issue, and ministers will examine the drivers of costs, how to manage spending on clinical negligence, and the potential merits of reform options.

Currently, the Government is considering the way forward on a wide range of matters relating to clinical negligence reform, and we will announce our position in due course.

It is important that all National Health Service staff are able to work in a supportive and inclusive environment that prioritises their health and wellbeing.

Employers across the NHS have their own arrangements in place for supporting their staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and health and wellbeing guardians, who scrutinise and co-ordinate local support.

At a national level, NHS England commissions the NHS Practitioner Health programme, which provides specialist support, and which is reviewing the wider provision of support for staff mental and physical health and wellbeing.

To support staff with their physical health, the Government and Nuffield Health announced, in March 2025, access for 4,000 NHS staff to Nuffield Health’s Joint Pain Programme, to support those staff who are either off work due to chronic joint pain or struggling with pain whilst at work.

The health and wellbeing of National Health Service staff is a top priority. Employers across the NHS have their own arrangements in place for supporting their staff, including occupational health provision, employee support programmes, and health and wellbeing guardian roles.

At a national level, NHS England has made additional support available. This includes a focus on healthy environments, tools, and resources to support line managers, and emotional and psychological health and wellbeing support. They have also set out a roadmap for the NHS and partner organisations to work together to develop and invest in occupational health and wellbeing services for NHS staff over the next five years.