Here’s how to make energy cheaper Opinion Tax cuts, radical planning reform and massively expanding nuclear is the answer to the energy crisis, says Sam Richards How do you respond to an energy crisis? That’s the question ministers will be asking officials as war in Iran sends oil and gas prices soaring. I know, because I was sitting in Number 10 being [...]
Starmer denies misleading public as fresh row with OBR erupts Politics Prime Minister Keir Starmer has denied accusations that Chancellor Rachel Reeves misled cabinet colleagues – and the country – over the state of public finances in the lead-up to the Budget as tax rumours hinged on the belief that there was a £30bn shortfall in the fiscal headroom. In a press conference at a nursery [...]
Labour to hold fire on ‘fish disco’ nuclear power reform due to ‘legal advice’ Energy The Labour government is set to hold fire on pushing through sweeping reforms to nuclear energy due to a legal adviser’s concerns over the “UK’s environmental, trade and human rights obligations”, it has been reported. The Innovate UK member John Fingleton published a damning report on red tape blocking the expansion of the country’s nuclear [...]
Rolls-Royce: Losses widen at FTSE 100 giant’s SMR division October 6, 2025 The small nuclear reactor business owned by FTSE 100 giant Rolls-Royce lost £115m in 2024, it has been revealed. Rolls-Royce SMR, which is not yet revenue generating, has posted the higher losses after also making a deficit of £78m in 2023. New accounts filed with Companies House have also shown that the division’s income from [...]
From CND to evangelist: Julia Pyke has nuclear ambitions for Sizewell C August 22, 2025 Julia Pyke has fended off judicial reviews and staunch local opposition, and waded through Britain’s unwieldy Treasury ‘Green Book’ process to get Sizewell C commissioned by the government. Now, she tells Ali Lyon, there’s just the small issue of building what will be the UK’s joint-largest power plant. It was in 1980s Lichfield – the [...]
Rolls-Royce: Shares in FTSE 100 firm jump on SMR news June 10, 2025 A division of Rolls-Royce has been selected to be the UK’s provider of small modular reactor (SMR) technology. Rolls-Royce SMR, which is co-owned by the FTSE 100 giant and Czech power company CEZ, has been successful in the Great British Nuclear (GBN) competition following a two-year process. Following the news, shares in Rolls-Royce rose on [...]
Why the UK can’t get a grip of its energy crisis April 14, 2025 A months-long cost-of-living crisis, state bailouts of consumer energy bills, endless planning rows, judicial interventions and now the near-collapse of Britain’s only manufacturer of virgin steel all show different sides to the UK’s ongoing energy crisis. Its dependency on foreign imports, poor planning of infrastructure and lack of control over soaring bills means the extent [...]
First privately financed nuclear project begins licensing February 17, 2025 A US start-up has formally entered the running to build four micro-nuclear plants in South Wales without a dime from the taxpayer. Washington-based Last Energy on Monday announced confirmation from the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) that it had entered the nuclear site licensing process for the plans. The ONR’s notice follows seven months of [...]
Small modular reactors will help growth and clean energy go nuclear February 12, 2025 While France generates most of its energy from nuclear, Britain has the highest industrial electricity costs in the world. The upfront costs of small modular reactors are high, but so is the return on investment, says John Caudwell Last month was the hottest January on record globally. It was unexpected because the natural weather phenomena [...]
Overhaul of planning barriers to nuclear power, Starmer announces February 6, 2025 An overhaul of planning barriers to make it easier to build new nuclear power plants has been announced by Keir Starmer. The move will create thousands of highly skilled jobs, the government said, as the Prime Minister confirmed red tape would be “slashed” in a bid to fast-track approval of reactors. It is set to [...]