Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of large-scale nuclear in creating jobs and on economic growth.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Gigawatt-scale projects are delivering major benefits to local and national economies in support of the government’s growth agenda.

EDF reports that the Hinkley Point C project supports 26,000 direct and indirect jobs across Britain and contributes £13.3 billion to the national economy.

According to estimates by Oxford Economics, Sizewell C - an above ground replica of Hinkley Point C - will support 17,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide at peak construction, and contribute £26.6 billion to the economy across all regions of the UK over the construction period, with plans for 70% of construction spend to be placed with UK companies.

The government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear with identifying suitable sites that could host a potential large-scale new nuclear project. GBE-N will report to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of current school building standards in protecting pupils and staff from extreme heat, and what steps her Department is taking to improve school infrastructure to ensure resilience to rising temperatures associated with climate change.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

I refer my hon. Friend, the member for Warrington North to the answer of 30 June 2026 to Question 13129.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that investment in the civil nuclear sector supports the long-term resilience of the UK's wider nuclear skills base.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Government’s commitment and investment in the civil nuclear sector provides greater certainty to industry, which supports recruitment and workforce development, Long-term resilience of the UK’s wider nuclear skills base is strengthened through delivery of the Nuclear Skills Plan.

Nuclear Skills Plan activity includes establishing regional skills hubs, which tailor national skills programmes to regional needs and career switcher programmes that rapidly transition experienced professionals into priority civil and defence nuclear roles. Government is also investing £65.6 million to support more than 500 doctoral students in nuclear and develop a pipeline of future subject matter experts.

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 the Secretary of State for Defence on ensuring a skilled workforce for the (a) civil and (b) defence nuclear sectors.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Through the Nuclear Skills Plan, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ministry of Defence work collaboratively with the nuclear industry organisations and academia in a coordinated effort to deliver the skilled workforce required for the civil and defence nuclear sectors.

Nuclear Skills Plan partner organisations have recruited thousands of apprentices and graduates and awarded bursaries and sponsorships to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Government is also investing £65.6 million of government funding to support more than 500 doctoral students in nuclear and develop a pipeline of future subject matter experts.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, in what way a fleet-deployment approach to gigawatt-scale nuclear development will support the civil nuclear supply chain and help ensure its long-term readiness and competitiveness.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Gigawatt-scale projects are delivering major benefits to local and national economies in support of the government’s growth agenda.

EDF reports that the Hinkley Point C project supports 26,000 direct and indirect jobs across Britain and contributes £13.3 billion to the national economy.

According to estimates by Oxford Economics, Sizewell C - an above ground replica of Hinkley Point C - will support 17,000 direct and indirect jobs nationwide at peak construction, and contribute £26.6 billion to the economy across all regions of the UK over the construction period, with plans for 70% of construction spend to be placed with UK companies.

The government has tasked Great British Energy - Nuclear with identifying suitable sites that could host a potential large-scale new nuclear project. GBE-N will report to Ministers by Autumn 2026 on potential sites to inform future decisions in the next Spending Review and beyond.

Richard Pengelly

Found: Democrat; Chelmsford) Leigh Ingham MP (Labour; Stafford) Gordon McKee MP (Labour; Glasgow South) Charlotte Nichols