Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the US joint Department of Army and Department of Energy Project Janus, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of helping develop small modular reactors.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The government is committed to delivering a new golden age of nuclear, securing an abundance of clean energy, protecting family finances, taking back control of our energy supply, and tackling the climate crisis. The government has committed almost £17bn across the Spending Review period to the most ambitious nuclear new build programme for a generation. This includes over £2.5bn across the Spending Review period to enable one of Europe’s first small modular reactor programmes.
Government recognises the potential benefits offered by different uses of advanced nuclear, including: supplying electricity to the grid; off-grid solutions, including supplying data centres via private wire; and providing heat to support industrial decarbonisation.
In September last year, the UK and the US signed a high-level agreement to collaborate on nuclear energy and fusion under the Tech Prosperity Deal. As part of that agreement, the Government committed to exploring opportunities for novel applications of advanced nuclear energy, including strengthening energy resilience for the Participants’ defence facilities on which we continue to engage.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reported suspension of the US-UK Technology Prosperity Deal; and what impact this has on US-UK collaboration on artificial intelligence and advanced technologies.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The United States is our close ally and tech partner, and we are committed to ensuring that bond delivers real benefits for hardworking people on both sides of the Atlantic.
We look forward to resuming work on this partnership with the US as quickly as we can to achieve that and working together to help shape the emerging technologies of the future.
Most recently, we were pleased to announce advances in how we share cutting edge UK and US quantum research as well as TAE Technologies and the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s joint venture partnership to commercialise fusion technology in the UK.
Asked by: Lord Taylor of Warwick (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure robust governance, safety evaluation and transparency in their announced partnership with Google DeepMind, including the planned automated science laboratory and access to its AI models for public services.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The non‑binding Memorandum of Understanding between DSIT and Google DeepMind establishes a partnership for collaboration to support delivery on this government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. This includes concrete initiatives such as priority access for UK scientists to AI tools; deepening collaboration with the AI Security Institute on AI safety and security research; and support for the development of AI-ready datasets in strategically important domains such as fusion energy.
The automated lab announced alongside the MoU is an independent Google DeepMind initiative, fully funded by Google DeepMind. The UK Government is not involved in operating or funding the lab.
The partnership with Google DeepMind will support DSIT’s efforts to explore how AI can improve productivity and service delivery across government. However, any use of AI in public services will be subject to the highest standards of safety and security, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, the Government’s Data Ethics Framework, and relevant departmental assurance and security processes.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release entitled US-UK pact will boost advances in drug discovery, create tens of thousands of jobs and transform lives, published on 16 September 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) families will get access to cleaner, more reliable energy, (b) British consumers will be more protected from international fossil fuel price hikes and (c) British workers will benefit from high-paying jobs unlocked by these projects.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
In September 2025, we announced the landmark UK-US Technology Prosperity Deal which will help turbocharge the Government’s nuclear and economic growth ambitions. This deal will cut the time it takes to build projects in both our countries, as well as opening the door to major new deals between UK and US companies.
Families and businesses across Britain continue to pay a heavy price for our exposure to fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators like Putin. Nuclear has a central role in taking back control of our energy so we can protect our country and bring down bills for good. That is why earlier this year the government announced the biggest expansion of nuclear in half a century - delivering historic public investment in Sizewell C, fusion energy, and the UK’s first small modular reactors, built by Rolls - Royce. This is the biggest investment in renewable energy, which is part of our Clean Energy Superpower mission, jobs, investment, growth for Britain, fighting for working people to deliver a better future.
The Technology Prosperity Deal will see greater opportunities through investment and rollout of AI infrastructure in both countries, creating jobs and driving growth. For example, the new AI Growth Zone in the North East will see billions of pounds worth of investment, skills training and jobs funnelled into the region. In addition, it will develop revolutionary quantum computers and speed up the deployment of this technology which will boost healthcare, protect citizens and create highly skilled jobs.
Asked by: Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative - Huntingdon)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the Modern Industrial Strategy, what recent progress he has made in delivering the STEP prototype fusion power station in West Burton.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The STEP prototype fusion powerplant will be delivered by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS), a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), itself sponsored by DESNZ and fully owned by the UK Government. STEP will be delivered in several phases. The first has been completed producing the powerplant concept design, site selection (West Burton) and identifying the appropriate regulatory framework. Site characterisation is ongoing, and a live tender is underway to select industrial partners to work on the plant with UKIFS, and Fusion R&D Partner UKAEA.
Asked by: Tom Hayes (Labour - Bournemouth East)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on proposals for a Dorset Clean Energy Supercluster.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
Regional growth is one of the three sub-objectives of our Industrial Strategy. The growth potential of clean energy innovation, supply chain scale-up, and deployment mean that there are opportunities across the whole UK.
The Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan, published as part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy on 23rd June, introduces policies that will support industries such as offshore wind and nuclear to capitalise on growth opportunities across the country, including in the Southwest. Additionally, ministers have also engaged in discussions regarding strategic regional investment sites, including in the Southwest of England.
The Sector Plan outlines several national initiatives, including a £1 billion Clean Energy Supply Chains Fund, of which £300 million is dedicated to strengthening offshore wind supply chains; a £544 million Clean Industry Bonus for offshore wind, and the Heat Pump Investment Accelerator, offering grants to manufacturers. Furthermore, over £2.5 billion has been allocated to support Small Modular Reactors, with a further £2.5 billion committed to fusion energy over the next five years.
Asked by: Kevin Hollinrake (Conservative - Thirsk and Malton)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to Appendix 2 of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill Impact Assessment, Annex 1: Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects reform, what the target date is for the publication of EN-8 on Nuclear Fusion Energy.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy
The Department plans to publish its response to the consultation on a Fusion Energy National Policy Statement EN-8 soon. Further details will be available in due course.
Asked by: Lord Kempsell (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the development of fusion energy and allied technologies.
Answered by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
Fusion supports the Government’s Plan for Change and its Missions to Kickstart Economic Growth – through innovation, highly skilled jobs, and tech transfer to adjacent sectors, and make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower.
The Government has announced a record £410m for fusion R&D to fund world leading new facilities, cutting edge research, support for the UK’s thriving industry and skill provision across the UK.
The Government is supporting rapid development of the fusion energy sector, investing in cutting-edge research capabilities and facilities, and implementing a proportionate regulatory framework to cement the UK as a global hub for fusion investment and commercialisation.
Asked by: James Naish (Labour - Rushcliffe)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the report by Midlands Engine entitled The nuclear industry in the Midlands, published in February 2025; and whether he is taking steps to help support nuclear-related economic growth in the (a) East Midlands and (b) West Midlands.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is supporting rapid development of the nuclear fission and fusion energy sectors.
For fusion this includes investing in cutting edge research capabilities and facilities, and implementing a proportionate regulatory framework to cement the UK as a global hub for fusion investment and commercialisation. This includes the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) prototype fusion energy power plant which aims to prove the viability of commercial fusion and catalyse fusion sector development.
We are determined to work with these sectors to ensure they continue to be economic engines for communities across our country, including the Midlands, and the Government is grateful for the excellent work Midlands Engine has done to highlight the opportunities in these areas.
Asked by: James Naish (Labour - Rushcliffe)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of developing high-temperature superconducting magnet technology in the UK.
Answered by Kerry McCarthy
High Temperature Superconducting magnets will not only be critical for fusion energy machines such as STEP, but have potential to revolutionise aviation, trains, marine propulsion, medical scanners, wind turbines, materials processing, big science facilities, and more. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the UK Atomic Energy Authority, and the private sector, to support the establishment and growth of the UK’s HTS magnet capabilities, to capture the benefits of this growing market, and ultimately enable the delivery of commercially viable fusion energy.