Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

Baroness Winterton of Doncaster Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, I do not think I can give that commitment, although I recognise what the noble Lord says. I can certainly assure him that we are in close discussions across government departments about taking forward the implications of what was contained in the plan. I, of course, recognise the role that Rolls-Royce plays. I do not want to say anything further about that because it is currently in a competitive process in relation to SMRs that is being run by Great British Nuclear.

[Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Lab)]

My Lords, is my noble friend the Minister aware that the proposal by a consortium of Sheffield industrialists for an SMR national manufacturing centre of excellence would create hundreds of highly skilled jobs in South Yorkshire and across the country, and would also open up the opportunity for British industry to compete internationally for the manufacture of SMRs with British components? Can he assure me that this is exactly the sort of proposal his department will consider supporting and is in line with the points made by my noble friend Lord Spellar?

[Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness may know that I met our former colleague Richard Caborn and colleagues from Sheffield to discuss this. We have now asked UK Research and Innovation to review the detail and advise us. We will then consider the next steps. Clearly, this is a very interesting concept.