Great British Energy: Nuclear Development

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

The preferred bidder is Rolls-Royce and I think we are ahead of the curve in all this. We are investing in the technology and we want to see it coming online in the medium to long term—some time in the 2030s. This technology will revolutionise nuclear power in the country, so that we can spread out nuclear technology around the country, build the supply chain and generate power for over 3 million homes. I think we are ahead of the curve: we know what we are doing on this and we are going to generate that energy in the future for the country.

[Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (GP)]

My Lords, the Minister said that everybody around the House supports nuclear. No, the Green Party does not support nuclear. It is a dinosaur technology and it is really very expensive, when you look at the planetary impact and the cost to the Exchequer. It is going to be a disaster and it will be overtaken by sea-level rises as well. Why do the Government not take some good advice on this instead of believing in nuclear all the time?

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I appreciate that point of view, but I think it is a bit on the fringe of what this House and people in the industry think. We have to remember that once Sizewell C is geared up and producing energy, we expect it to make a saving. The noble Baroness can turn her nose up at this, but once it is online it is going to generate savings for the economy and consumers of £2 billion a year over 60 years. I think that is a good saving for the economy and for the British people. It is something that we need to continue to invest in.