Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Reeves to use Parliament to drive through power plants and infrastructure, published on 20 May 2026, what safeguards will remain in place for local communities affected by projects designated as being of Critical National Importance.

On 20 May, the Chancellor announced a package of infrastructure planning reforms to accelerate delivery of the most important clean energy projects, strengthen the UK’s energy security and support economic growth.

Under these reforms, projects designated as being of Critical National Importance would still be required to proceed through the normal Development Consent Order process, and existing arrangements for considering impacts and hearing from affected communities would remain in place. This route would apply only to energy projects that the Energy Secretary designates as of Critical National Importance, and any such designation would also require explicit parliamentary approval

HM Treasury is working closely with relevant departments on the detailed policy and legislative framework for these reforms. Further detail will be set out in due course.