Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions Ministers have had with (1) Tata Steel, (2) the Welsh Government, and (3) companies in the nuclear energy sector, concerning the possibility of constructing a small nuclear reactor at Port Talbot to provide energy for the manufacture of steel.

The construction of a small nuclear reactor at Port Talbot to provide energy for the manufacture of steel has not been discussed as part of Tata Steel's plans for the construction of an Electric Arc Furnace at the site. The UK Government does not have a role in Tata Steel's energy purchasing arrangements, and the energy sources that Tata will choose to use are a commercial decision for them.

The Alternative Routes to Market for New Nuclear Projects consultation explored potential wider roles of nuclear energy beyond electricity generation, including large scale industrial applications. The consultation responses are now being analysed and will help shape future policy.