Written questions by Betts.

What steps his Department is taking to help protect private renters from rent increases after landlords invest to improve the energy efficiency of homes in line with the new energy efficiency standards.

The government is standing up for renters through new minimum energy efficiency standards in the private rented sector, and proposed standard for the social rented sector, which will lift around 650,000 households out of fuel poverty. Landlords should provide clear communications about any changes, and government will provide guidance for landlords and tenants so that tenants know what to expect. There is also support available for landlords, including financing options. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 delivers stronger protections for tenants, including the right to appeal above‑market rents, the removal of Section 21 ‘no‑fault’ evictions, and a simplified tenancy structure. These measures increase security for renters and support them to challenge poor practice, and unfair rent rises without risking eviction.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 76240 on Sizewell C Power Station, what proportion of the forgings will be produced in the UK.

Sizewell C is committed to supporting the UK steel industry throughout the construction period. It is a signatory of the UK Steel Charter and remains committed to maximising UK steel within its construction plans.

With reference to the press release entitled Rolls-Royce SMR selected to build small modular nuclear reactors, published on 10 June 2025, what estimate he has made of the proportion of reactors that will be produced in the UK.

Following a robust procurement based on fairness and transparency, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to deploy the UK's first SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature. Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet.

With reference to the press release entitled Golden age of nuclear delivers UK-US deal on energy security, published on 15 September 2025, what estimate he has made of the proportion of components that will be produced in the UK.

The Government welcomes the recent announcements as part of the UK-US collaboration on advanced nuclear and opportunities it brings for energy security and industrial growth. The projects announced are privately led and individual supply-chain strategies are determined by the investors. Our forthcoming framework will lay out a pathway for privately led advanced nuclear projects in the UK, aiming to unlock private sector investment and accelerate deployment with Great British Energy-Nuclear having a role to play in assessing proposals including scrutinising supply-chain strategies. UKRI developed a methodology to assess how much could be delivered by the current UK supply-chain for a project, DESNZ are considering how this could be applied and adapted.

What proportion of castings and forgings for Sizewell C will be produced in the UK.

Sizewell C plans to award 70% of construction value to British businesses, and the supply chain is expected to include 3500 British companies, from all four parts of the UK. The project has already placed more than £4bn-worth of contracts with UK companies. Sizewell C will be a second of a kind project, as an above ground replica of Hinkley Point C. As well as the design, Sizewell C will replicate many aspects of Hinkley’s supply chain; this is expected to give greater certainty of cost and construction requirements, which will ultimately benefit UK taxpayers and consumers.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the (a) capacity, (b) capability and (c) competitiveness of the nuclear supply chain in the UK for the production of small modular reactors.

As the UK enters the new golden age of nuclear, the government will accelerate the growth of a robust and secure sector, collaborating across the supply chain to mitigate barriers to entry, develop policies that maximise domestic opportunities, and support access to international markets to drive exports. Following a robust, two-year procurement process, Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to build the UK’s first small modular reactors, subject to final government approvals and contract signature. It is expected that an SMR project could support up to 3,000 skilled jobs.

What assessment has he made of the potential impact of building the first British small modular reactor outside the UK on the UK manufacturing sector.

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to deploy the UK's first SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature. Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the timing of the construction of the first British-built small modular reactor on the UK’s manufacturing sector.

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to deploy the UK's first SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature. Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet.

What steps he is taking to ensure that British suppliers are used for Government-funded small modular reactors.

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to deploy the UK's first SMRs, subject to final government approvals and contract signature. Further details will follow in due course, but the government's long-term ambition is to bring forward one of Europe's first SMR fleets, with GBE-N's ambition being to deliver over 70% UK content across the fleet.

How the funding for the warm homes policy will be targeted; and what steps he plans to take to ensure the funding is distributed to those most in need.

As the first step towards the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, with £1bn of this allocated to next year. Additional funding will be considered in Phase 2 of the Spending Review, as the Warm Homes Plan is further developed. The £3.4 billion includes £1.8 billion to support fuel poverty schemes, helping over 225,000 households reduce their energy bills by over £200. In addition, the Government recently announced Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund in England, which will replace the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund to support social housing providers and tenants, with delivery expected in 2025. We have also announced a new Warm Homes: Local Grant to help low-income homeowners and private tenants in England with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating.