Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure the maintenance and timely replacement of the nuclear power element of the UK’s electricity production.

The Government recognises the important role of nuclear in our energy mix. Last September we signed a deal to build the first new nuclear plant in the UK for over 20 years. Hinkley Point C will provide 3.2 gigawatts low carbon electricity for 60 years, meeting around 7% of the UK’s electricity needs.

Further, on 12 October the Government published its Clean Growth Strategy, which committed continuing to work with nuclear developers on their new build proposals, including on financing plans, as well as investing £460 million in nuclear to support work in areas including future nuclear fuels, new nuclear manufacturing techniques, recycling and reprocessing, and advanced reactor design. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is also working with industry to develop a nuclear Sector Deal as part of the Industrial Strategy, looking at boosting competitiveness and skills across the sector.