Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that prospective investors in the proposed Sizewell C nuclear power plant undergo strict national security checks.

The Government is clear that, whilst we welcome investment in sectors including civil nuclear, this can never be at the expense of national security.

As set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 18^th September, should any investor’s shareholding in the Sizewell C project reach the relevant statutory thresholds, the investor will be required to pass through the process set out in the National Security and Investment Act 2021, allowing scrutiny of any risks posed with respect to this legislation.

In addition, as a condition of the Secretary of State’s designation of Sizewell C Limited in accordance with section 2(1) of the Nuclear Energy (Financing) Act 2022, the Secretary of State must have the ability to take a special share in the company. The rights attached to the special share are subject to approval by the Secretary of State but will likely be limited to protecting national security interests with respect to the project and complementary to the provisions of the National Security and Investment Act 2021, alongside other, related matters.