Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they expect (1) to respond to, and (2) to implement the recommendations of, the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government endorses the report’s approach and accepts the principles of all recommendations it set out.
My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister has issued a Strategic Steer which sets clear expectations for the civil, defence, and decommissioning nuclear sectors to accelerate safe and efficient delivery through proportionate regulation and stronger collaboration.
We will present a full implementation plan within three months, taking account of international obligations, national security considerations, and planning, environmental and court processes.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they plan to use public procurement for the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor programme to develop UK nuclear supply chain capability.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced on 13 November, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting around 3,000 good jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.
Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, the project will deploy Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Ahead of contract signature, it is not possible to comment on specific SMR components or supply chain, though GBE-N's ambition is to deliver over 70% UK content across the SMR fleet.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Great British Energy – Nuclear will be able to give preference to UK suppliers in public procurement processes.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced on 13 November, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting around 3,000 good jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.
Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, the project will deploy Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Ahead of contract signature, it is not possible to comment on specific SMR components or supply chain, though GBE-N's ambition is to deliver over 70% UK content across the SMR fleet.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they had with the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions about the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Marine Services Next Generation (DMS-NG) programme did not seek tenders directly for the Vessel Replacement Programme (VRP), as the endorsed procurement strategy was to include this as part of the broader In-Port Services contract. Tenderers for the main contract were expected to select their own supply chain to deliver the VRP and Serco made the decision to sub-contract to Damen Shipyards Group.
While there was no policy requirement to engage for this procurement, and there are no records of discussions with the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions specifically on the DMS-NG contracts, the Department remains committed to open dialogue with stakeholders and to supporting UK shipbuilding through the National Shipbuilding Strategy and associated initiatives. The Ministry of Defence now engages regularly with industry bodies and trade unions in accordance with the 2025 Defence publication “The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy”.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government which British shipyards were invited to tender for vessels under the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts, and which submitted a bid.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Defence Marine Services Next Generation (DMS-NG) programme did not seek tenders directly for the Vessel Replacement Programme (VRP), as the endorsed procurement strategy was to include this as part of the broader In-Port Services contract. Tenderers for the main contract were expected to select their own supply chain to deliver the VRP and Serco made the decision to sub-contract to Damen Shipyards Group.
While there was no policy requirement to engage for this procurement, and there are no records of discussions with the Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions specifically on the DMS-NG contracts, the Department remains committed to open dialogue with stakeholders and to supporting UK shipbuilding through the National Shipbuilding Strategy and associated initiatives. The Ministry of Defence now engages regularly with industry bodies and trade unions in accordance with the 2025 Defence publication “The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy”.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the invitation to tender for vessels for the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts included any requirement for the employment of trainees or apprentices.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Each of the four Defence Marine Services - Next Generation (DMS-NG) contracts includes Social Value requirements, which are based on the most appropriate outcomes and themes as set out in the Social Value Model. The DMS-NG invitations to tender included education and training, requiring tenderers to support educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications. They did not prescribe or constrain how the tenderers should meet the requirements and did not specify requirements for trainees and apprentices separately in relation to the Vessel Replacement Programme (which is to be delivered as part of the In-Port Marine Services Contract).
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether there are any social value requirements in the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts with Serco.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Each of the four Defence Marine Services - Next Generation (DMS-NG) contracts includes Social Value requirements, which are based on the most appropriate outcomes and themes as set out in the Social Value Model. The DMS-NG invitations to tender included education and training, requiring tenderers to support educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications. They did not prescribe or constrain how the tenderers should meet the requirements and did not specify requirements for trainees and apprentices separately in relation to the Vessel Replacement Programme (which is to be delivered as part of the In-Port Marine Services Contract).
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the value of the supply chain of the contract for the vessels being constructed for the Defence Marine Services Next Generation Contracts.
Answered by Lord Coaker - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Vessel Replacement Programme within the Defence Marine Services Next Generation In-Port Services contract represents approximately £200 million, 22% of the total In-Port Services contract value. Serco, as the prime contractor, is responsible for managing its supply chain and made the decision to sub-contract to Damen Shipyards Group. The Ministry of Defence monitors prime contractor reporting to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and value-for-money principles.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government where the pressure vessel and turbines for the small modular reactors announced for Wylfa will be manufactured.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced on 13 November, the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, supporting around 3,000 good jobs at peak construction and thousands more across the supply chain.
Subject to final government approvals and contract signature, the project will deploy Rolls-Royce SMR technology. Ahead of contract signature, it is not possible to comment on specific SMR components or supply chain, though GBE-N's ambition is to deliver over 70% UK content across the SMR fleet.
Asked by: Lord Spellar (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 20 October (HL10843), whether the Department and Minister have any oversight or responsibility for the Certification Officer and the fulfilment of their duties and responsibilities.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Certification Officer accounts to Parliament by making their annual report, which is laid before Parliament and published by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State has the power to remove the Certification Officer, but only where the Certification Officer has been adjudged bankrupt, convicted of a criminal offence, has demonstrated misconduct, is incapacitated, or is otherwise unable or unfit to hold the office.
However, the Certification Officer is independent in how they exercise their statutory functions.