Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has carried out an assessment of the potential impact of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate's voluntary exit scheme on the (a) delivery of objectives and (b) trends in the level of operating costs at the former Trawsfynydd nuclear power station.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) remains focused on delivering its statutory mission to keep former nuclear sites safe and secure while progressing decommissioning and managing waste. To achieve this efficiently, the NDA has introduced voluntary exit schemes as part of wider organisational restructuring and cost management measures. These schemes are designed to ensure resources are directed to front-line hazard reduction and decommissioning, while maintaining safe operations at all sites, including Trawsfynydd.
The NDA continues to monitor delivery against objectives and operating costs as part of its normal governance processes, alongside its commitment to supporting people and communities through investment in skills and economic diversification.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he had with the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on the implementation of that organisation's voluntary exit scheme before it was introduced; and whether he approved the implementation of the voluntary exit scheme.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.
As part of this approach, the NDA has introduced voluntary exit schemes across its group to support organisational restructuring and create efficiencies. All NDA MAVE schemes received the appropriate Government approval.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has made an economic assessment of the potential impact of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate's current voluntary exit scheme on the regional economy in (a) Wales (b) the North West (c) Scotland and (d) the South West.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The NDA remains committed to supporting communities in each of these areas to build a resilient, inclusive future by investing in skills, wellbeing, infrastructure, and economic diversification that create lasting opportunities beyond decommissioning.
The voluntary exit schemes are part of NDA’s commitment to delivering maximum value for public money while maintaining focus on its mission and supporting its people through change. The NDA is actively exploring opportunities to improve how it operates - this includes corporate restructuring, greater sharing of services, and enhanced efficiencies across enabling functions.
The outcome of the recent SR Settlement reflects the government’s recognition of the NDA’s critical role in safeguarding the UK’s nuclear legacy. This funding ensures safe and secure decommissioning while driving efficiencies and maximising the benefits of working as a group.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department has assessed the potential impact of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate's current voluntary exit scheme on the achievement of that organisation's mission.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The outcome of the recent Spending Review settlement reflects the government’s recognition of the NDA’s critical role in safeguarding the UK’s nuclear legacy. This funding will enable the NDA to continue to perform its core mission, ensuring safe and secure decommissioning while driving efficiencies and maximising the benefits of working as a group.
The voluntary exit schemes are part of NDA’s commitment to delivering maximum value for public money while maintaining focus on its mission and supporting its people through change. The NDA is actively exploring opportunities to improve how it operates - this includes corporate restructuring, greater sharing of services, and enhanced efficiencies across enabling functions.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what is the estimated cost to the public purse of the current voluntary exit scheme at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's estate.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The cost of the voluntary exit schemes across the NDA group will vary according to the level of exits mutually agreed between employers and members of staff.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what the expected end-of-life date is for each operational gas-fired power station in the UK.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The retirement of individual unabated gas plants is a commercial decision for private operators, based on technical, operational and economic factors. NESO’s Resource Adequacy in the 2030s report notes that many of today’s gas plants were commissioned before 2000 and may be approaching retirement by the early 2030s. To mitigate risks to security of supply, we have made it easier for plants to access multi-year Capacity Market agreements. This will provide greater revenue certainty that enables the type of investment ageing plants will need if they are to extend their operating life.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the contribution of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North constituency to (a) regional and (b) national economic growth.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As evidenced by the inclusion of civil nuclear the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the government recognises that our nuclear programme is an important driver of regional and national growth. We also recognise the considerable presence of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North, with businesses in the region contributing a range of expertise across the programme.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of his policies on new nuclear on job creation.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This Government’s nuclear policies are set to create thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK. At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs directly employed in the project, thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, and plans to create 1,500 apprenticeships. Furthermore, a small modular reactor project delivered through the Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR programme could create up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction. The new Atlantic partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy between the UK and the US will accelerate deployment of new nuclear power, unlocking opportunities for billions in private investment and delivering thousands more well-paid skilled jobs.
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the number of jobs in the nuclear sector on the economy.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
DESNZ do not produce their own figures on the number of jobs within the civil nuclear sector. The annual industry-led 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment (NWA), published by Cogent Skills, estimates that the civil and defence nuclear sector workforce increased from 83,000 jobs in 2023 to 96,000 in 2024, and could grow by an additional 24,000 employees by the early 2030s.[1] These roles are highly skilled, well paid and concentrated in regions where they provide significant economic benefit. Beyond direct employment nuclear investment boosts skills, infrastructure, and services, driving economic growth
[1] Cogent Skills, 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment
Asked by: Charlotte Nichols (Labour - Warrington North)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he plans to take to help make it easier for (a) tenants and (b) leaseholders to install heat pumps.
Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The Warm Homes Plan will help upgrade homes across the country, including those occupied by tenants and leaseholders, by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps.
The Government is helping make heat pumps more efficient and easier to install, through increasing funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £295 million for this financial year, ensuring more families can benefit from £7,500 off the cost of a heat pump. The Government has also allowed heat pumps to be installed within 1m of the property boundary without applying for planning permission.