Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to put revenue support mechanisms in place to support the development of advanced modular reactors.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government why they have decided to dispose of 140 tonnes of civil plutonium stored at Sellafield instead of repurposing it for new energy generation.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to fund advanced nuclear technologies through the generic design assessment process.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of international best practice cases for funding advanced modular reactor development.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

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

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to work with the Welsh Government to redevelop and refurbish Cardiff Central Railway Station.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

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.