Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Prinsley Excerpts

Tuesday 18th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Cat Smith (Lancaster and Wyre) (Lab)]

13. What steps he is taking to support the nuclear power sector.

[Peter Prinsley (Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket) (Lab)]

17. What steps he is taking to support the nuclear power sector.

[The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)]

Nuclear power is at the heart of our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. It is not just providing energy security, but driving billions of pounds in investment and creating thousands of highly skilled jobs. Great British Nuclear is on track to make final decisions on its small modular reactor competition this spring, while a final investment decision on Sizewell C will be made in the spending review.

--- Later in debate ---

[Sarah Jones]

I completely agree. The Conservative party built no new nuclear in 14 years. Small modular reactors will bring energy efficiency and economic growth to many parts of this country. We are working at pace and will make sure that we have the answer on SMRs shortly. We will have the answer on Sizewell in the spending review, and of course nuclear will play a big role in the future.

[Peter Prinsley]

Small modular reactors, as the Minister says, will play an important part in delivering clean, cheap and secure energy across this country. However, current rules require that any reactor must apply for regulatory justification, as if nuclear power was an entirely new practice instead of an existing one. That delays reactors getting online and lowering energy bills for people across the country, including in Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, by up to two years. Will the Secretary of State consider working with his Cabinet colleagues to simplify the system and recognise that nuclear energy technology is an existing practice, thereby accelerating the deployment of small modular reactors?

[Mr Speaker]

Another Adjournment debate.