Written questions by Nichols.

What plans his Department has to support additional large-scale nuclear power stations beyond Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.

To pursue the option of further potential large-scale nuclear beyond Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, the government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) with identifying other suitable sites that could potentially host such a project. GBE-N will report back to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential level of contribution that new large-scale nuclear power stations could make to enhancing the UK's energy security.

Large-scale nuclear power stations, including Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, will continue to make a vital contribution to our homegrown clean and secure energy mix, complementing small modular reactors. To pursue the option of further potential large-scale nuclear, the government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) with identifying other suitable sites that could potentially host such a project. GBE-N will report back to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the scheduled closure of Torness, Hartlepool and Heysham nuclear power stations on baseload electricity supply.

Currently, nuclear generation provides around 15% of total electricity. The four Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) stations at these locations are operating beyond their original forecasts, with current expected closures being planned well in advance by the operator (EDF). In September 2025, EDF announced Heysham 1 and Hartlepool power stations are now scheduled to generate until March 2028, an extension of 12 months. Heysham 2 and Torness are both scheduled to generate until March 2030. EDF’s ambition is to continue electricity production at its four generating AGR stations for as long as it is safe and commercially viable to do so and will keep station lifetimes under review. Energy security is a priority for the government, and we work closely with the National Energy System Operator (NESO), Ofgem and key industry stakeholders to constantly monitor electricity supply against forecast demand to ensure electricity operators have the right tools to respond to market signals.

What assessment his Department has made of the suitability of sites across the United Kingdom for new large-scale nuclear power station development.

To pursue the option of further potential large-scale nuclear beyond Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C, the government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear (GBE-N) with identifying other suitable sites that could potentially host such a project.GBE-N will report back to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

Whether his Department has carried out an assessment of the potential impact of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate's voluntary exit scheme on the (a) delivery of objectives and (b) trends in the level of operating costs at the former Trawsfynydd nuclear power station.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) remains focused on delivering its statutory mission to keep former nuclear sites safe and secure while progressing decommissioning and managing waste. To achieve this efficiently, the NDA has introduced voluntary exit schemes as part of wider organisational restructuring and cost management measures. These schemes are designed to ensure resources are directed to front-line hazard reduction and decommissioning, while maintaining safe operations at all sites, including Trawsfynydd. The NDA continues to monitor delivery against objectives and operating costs as part of its normal governance processes, alongside its commitment to supporting people and communities through investment in skills and economic diversification.

What discussions he had with the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on the implementation of that organisation's voluntary exit scheme before it was introduced; and whether he approved the implementation of the voluntary exit scheme.

Details of Ministers' and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. As part of this approach, the NDA has introduced voluntary exit schemes across its group to support organisational restructuring and create efficiencies. All NDA MAVE schemes received the appropriate Government approval.

Whether his Department has assessed the potential impact of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate's current voluntary exit scheme on the achievement of that organisation's mission.

The outcome of the recent Spending Review settlement reflects the government’s recognition of the NDA’s critical role in safeguarding the UK’s nuclear legacy. This funding will enable the NDA to continue to perform its core mission, ensuring safe and secure decommissioning while driving efficiencies and maximising the benefits of working as a group. The voluntary exit schemes are part of NDA’s commitment to delivering maximum value for public money while maintaining focus on its mission and supporting its people through change. The NDA is actively exploring opportunities to improve how it operates - this includes corporate restructuring, greater sharing of services, and enhanced efficiencies across enabling functions.

Whether his Department has made an economic assessment of the potential impact of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate's current voluntary exit scheme on the regional economy in (a) Wales (b) the North West (c) Scotland and (d) the South West.

The NDA remains committed to supporting communities in each of these areas to build a resilient, inclusive future by investing in skills, wellbeing, infrastructure, and economic diversification that create lasting opportunities beyond decommissioning.The voluntary exit schemes are part of NDA’s commitment to delivering maximum value for public money while maintaining focus on its mission and supporting its people through change. The NDA is actively exploring opportunities to improve how it operates - this includes corporate restructuring, greater sharing of services, and enhanced efficiencies across enabling functions.The outcome of the recent SR Settlement reflects the government’s recognition of the NDA’s critical role in safeguarding the UK’s nuclear legacy. This funding ensures safe and secure decommissioning while driving efficiencies and maximising the benefits of working as a group.

What is the estimated cost to the public purse of the current voluntary exit scheme at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's estate.

The cost of the voluntary exit schemes across the NDA group will vary according to the level of exits mutually agreed between employers and members of staff.

What the expected end-of-life date is for each operational gas-fired power station in the UK.

The retirement of individual unabated gas plants is a commercial decision for private operators, based on technical, operational and economic factors. NESO’s Resource Adequacy in the 2030s report notes that many of today’s gas plants were commissioned before 2000 and may be approaching retirement by the early 2030s. To mitigate risks to security of supply, we have made it easier for plants to access multi-year Capacity Market agreements. This will provide greater revenue certainty that enables the type of investment ageing plants will need if they are to extend their operating life.

What assessment he has made of the contribution of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North constituency to (a) regional and (b) national economic growth.

As evidenced by the inclusion of civil nuclear the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, the government recognises that our nuclear programme is an important driver of regional and national growth. We also recognise the considerable presence of the civil nuclear supply chain in Warrington North, with businesses in the region contributing a range of expertise across the programme.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the number of jobs in the nuclear sector on the economy.

DESNZ do not produce their own figures on the number of jobs within the civil nuclear sector. The annual industry-led 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment (NWA), published by Cogent Skills, estimates that the civil and defence nuclear sector workforce increased from 83,000 jobs in 2023 to 96,000 in 2024, and could grow by an additional 24,000 employees by the early 2030s.[1] These roles are highly skilled, well paid and concentrated in regions where they provide significant economic benefit. Beyond direct employment nuclear investment boosts skills, infrastructure, and services, driving economic growth[1] Cogent Skills, 2024 Nuclear Workforce Assessment

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of his policies on new nuclear on job creation.

This Government’s nuclear policies are set to create thousands of high-quality jobs across the UK. At peak construction, Sizewell C will support 10,000 jobs directly employed in the project, thousands more in the nationwide supply chain, and plans to create 1,500 apprenticeships. Furthermore, a small modular reactor project delivered through the Great British Energy – Nuclear SMR programme could create up to 3,000 jobs at peak construction. The new Atlantic partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy between the UK and the US will accelerate deployment of new nuclear power, unlocking opportunities for billions in private investment and delivering thousands more well-paid skilled jobs.

What steps he plans to take to help make it easier for (a) tenants and (b) leaseholders to install heat pumps.

The Warm Homes Plan will help upgrade homes across the country, including those occupied by tenants and leaseholders, by making them cleaner and cheaper to run, from installing new insulation to rolling out solar and heat pumps. The Government is helping make heat pumps more efficient and easier to install, through increasing funding for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £295 million for this financial year, ensuring more families can benefit from £7,500 off the cost of a heat pump. The Government has also allowed heat pumps to be installed within 1m of the property boundary without applying for planning permission.

Whether he plans to build any more gigawatt nuclear plants after Sizewell C.

This Government is committed to nuclear power, which, as set out in the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, will play an important role in delivering clean power by 2030, and crucially in the period beyond that, providing clean, stable and reliable power. No decision has yet been taken on whether to pursue a future large-scale project beyond Sizewell C.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the levelised cost of energy for communicating the true cost of energy production to consumers.

The Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE) provides a simple, high-level metric to compare the cost of building and operating different generation technologies. While valuable for comparing the relative cost of technologies to each other, LCOE does not include wider system impacts such as flexibility, integration, or transmission costs which occur within an operational system. To fully capture these factors and assess the true cost to consumers, the Department and the independent National Energy System Operator (NESO) use detailed power sector modelling.

How many successful applicants there will be to the Great British Nuclear small modular reactor selection process.

Great British Nuclear is driving forward its SMR competition for UK deployment and, following conclusion of detailed negotiations, has invited the four shortlisted companies to submit final tenders. GBN will evaluate these, with final decisions on technology selection to be taken in the Spring. Further updates will follow in due course.

How many people secured a grant from the Great British Insulation Scheme since it opened in April 2003.

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is not a government grant, rather it is an obligation on larger energy suppliers to deliver the most cost-effective single insulation measures to eligible households across Great Britain. Information on the number of measures installed and the number of households that have received measures under GBIS since it launched in 2023 can be found in Tables 1 and 2 of the latest GBIS Statistics Release.