Britain to build more mini-nuclear power stations as Keir Starmer rips up ‘archaic’ rules

The government vows to create thousands of highly skilled jobs with the push for new nuclear – which will clear a path for so-called small modular reactors to be built in the UK for the first time

Britain will build more nuclear power plants as Keir Starmer slashes planning rules to drive down energy bills.

The government vows to create thousands of highly skilled jobs with the push for new nuclear – which will clear a path for so-called small modular reactors (SMRs) to be built in the UK for the first time.

Ministers said it would help to deliver clean, secure and more affordable energy.

A raft of “archaic” planning rules will be ripped up, with growth being prioritised over NIMBYS – local blockers who say “Not In My Back Yard”.

“This country hasn’t built a nuclear power station in decades. We’ve been let down and left behind,” Mr Starmer said.

“Our energy security has been hostage to Putin for too long, with British prices skyrocketing at his whims.

“I’m putting an end to it – changing the rules to back the builders of this nation, and saying no to the blockers who have strangled our chances of cheaper energy, growth and jobs for far too long.”

Britain’s last nuclear power station was built in 1995.

Mini-nuclear power stations will be included in planning rules for the first time.

And rules which only allow them to be built on eight set sites will be scrapped.

The expiry date on nuclear planning rules will be scrapped, so projects don’t “time out” and firms can plan for the future.

And a Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce will be established – reporting directly to the PM on ways regulations can be improved to help get building underway.

Ministers said Britain is considered one of the world’s most expensive countries in which to build nuclear power, so the taskforce will speed up the approval of new reactor designs and streamline how developers engage with regulators.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Build, build, build – that is what Britain’s clean energy mission is all about.

“The British people have been left vulnerable to global energy markets for too long – and the only way out is to build our way to a new era of clean electricity.

“Nuclear power creating thousands of skilled jobs. That is what this Government will deliver.”

Tom Greatrex, chief executive of the Nuclear Industry Association, said: “This is the Prime Minister’s strongest signal yet that new nuclear is critical to the growth and clean power mission.

“A more streamlined planning system will give certainty to investors, the supply chain and communities, and will enable us to get on with building new nuclear plants on more sites and at pace for a cleaner, more secure power system.

“We need to make Britain the best possible place to build new nuclear, both large-scale and SMRs, which means avoiding unnecessary stumbling blocks and ensuring regulations are proportionate to our urgent need for low carbon power, energy security and good jobs.”