Draft Justification Decision (Generation of Power by the RR SMR) Regulations 2026
House of Commons · General Committees · 7 Jul 2026 · 31 speeches · Official Report
The Committee consisted of the following Members:
Chair: Graham Stringer
† Brandreth, Aphra (Chester South and Eddisbury) (Con)
† Fox, Sir Ashley (Bridgwater) (Con)
† Glindon, Mary (Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend) (Lab)
† Hardy, Emma (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Heylings, Pippa (South Cambridgeshire) (LD)
† Hoare, Simon (North Dorset) (Con)
† Jogee, Adam (Newcastle-under-Lyme) (Lab)
† Josan, Gurinder Singh (Smethwick) (Lab)
† Kumaran, Uma (Stratford and Bow) (Lab)
McMahon, Jim (Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton) (Lab/Co-op)
† Moore, Robbie (Keighley and Ilkley) (Con)
† Pakes, Andrew (Peterborough) (Lab/Co-op)
† Sobel, Alex (Leeds Central and Headingley) (Lab/Co-op)
† Thomas, Gareth (Harrow West) (Lab/Co-op)
† Walker, Imogen (Hamilton and Clyde Valley) (Lab)
† Whitby, John (Derbyshire Dales) (Lab)
† Young, Claire (Thornbury and Yate) (LD)
Heather Nathoo, Sanjana Balakrishnan, Committee Clerks
† attended the Committee
Fifth Delegated Legislation Committee
Tuesday 7 July 2026
[Graham Stringer in the Chair ]
Draft Justification Decision (Generation of Power by the RR SMR) Regulations 2026
The Chair
Before I call the Minister, I should say that any hon. Member or official who wishes to take off their jacket has the Chair’s permission to do so.
I beg to move, That the Committee has considered the draft Justification Decision (Generation of Power by the RR SMR) Regulations 2026. It is now an extra pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer, as I am slightly less warm than I was a few moments ago. The regulations were laid before the House on 3 June. They are an important step towards enabling the deployment of Rolls-Royce small modular reactors in the UK, supporting our energy security, net zero and economic growth. They give legal effect to the Secretary of State’s decision that the technology is justified under the UK’s regulatory framework for practices involving ionising radiation. The regulations do not give approval for the building, use or funding of small modular reactors, but set out that legally the Secretary of State’s decision was justified. That means that the technology’s benefits outweigh the potential risks to health from radiation exposure, allowing it to proceed towards deployment in the UK. The Secretary of State identified a range of benefits. The Rolls-Royce SMR has the potential to provide reliable low carbon electricity at scale, helping to power homes and meet growing demand, while supporting the transition to net zero. The technology is based on well understood pressurised water reactor technology and can contribute to a more secure home grown energy system, reducing reliance on imports. The development and deployment of the technology are also expected to create opportunities...
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. The regulations represent an important step in enabling the deployment of small modular reactors in the United Kingdom. They are a necessary part of the regulatory framework and provide the legal basis for determining that the benefits of the technology outweigh the potential health detriments associated with ionising radiation. The technology has the potential to strengthen our energy security, support thousands of highly skilled jobs and grow our manufacturing base at a time when electricity demand is expected to rise significantly. It is vital that we have a diverse mix of energy, with nuclear playing a key role alongside other forms of energy generation. The official Opposition welcome the selection of Rolls-Royce to build the UK’s first small modular reactor; Rolls-Royce has world-leading expertise in nuclear engineering, a highly skilled workforce and a proven track record of delivering complex nuclear technologies. The prospect of British designed and British built SMRs generating clean reliable electricity is something that Members across the House should support. I would be grateful if the Minister outlined a clear timeframe for when the generic design assessment process is expected to conclude. When will financial decisions be taken and when will construction begin? Most importantly, when will the first electricity be generated? Small modular reactors are a promising technology, but they are only one...
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Mr Stringer. The Liberal Democrats support the justification for the Rolls-Royce small modular reactor, or RR SMR, and the development of SMRs in general. We recognise their potential to strengthen energy security and reduce reliance on imported gas when they can provide a safe and cost-effective contribution to a decarbonised electricity system. We believe that the best way to cut bills is to invest in home grown clean power, creating well paid jobs across the UK, improving energy security and supporting economic growth. The development of the RR SMR will help towards that goal. We support this statutory instrument and remain clear that the Government should prioritise accelerating renewable generation, electricity storage and emerging nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors, enabling a fleet approach, rather than deepening the UK’s reliance on large-scale, expensive and slow-to-deliver one-off nuclear projects.
I thank the official Opposition and the Liberal Democrats for supporting the regulations. The hon. Member for Keighley and Ilkley asked about delivery timelines; obviously, those are not determined through the justification process. Industry has set out indicative timelines for deployment, which are subject to a separate decision and sit outside the scope of this instrument. I note the hon. Gentleman’s interest in the matter and will make sure that it is passed on to the Department for Business and Trade, which is the responsible Department. I share his excitement about the high-skilled jobs that this can bring to the UK and how it can give wider socioeconomic benefits. I also share the positivity expressed by the Liberal Democrats. The evidence provides clear and consistent picture. The risks are low and this technology offers real benefit for energy security, net zero and jobs in supply chains in the UK. It is right that this practice should be justified under the UK’s regulatory framework. I commend the regulations to the Committee. Question put and agreed to.
Committee rose.