Nuclear Energy APPG January Newsletter

January 2026 Newsletter

The APPG has certainly hit the ground running in 2026, beginning the year by playing an integral role in the Nuclear Industry Association’s Nuclear Week in Parliament. The APPG hosted the Welcome Reception on the opening day, where members heard directly from the Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, Lord Vallance, on the steps the government has taken to support the civil nuclear sector and what lies ahead.

APPG members also attended a wide range of events throughout Nuclear Week, engaging with companies from across the supply chain, including advanced nuclear technologies, fuels, decommissioning and finance. In this newsletter, we hear from Charlotte Nichols MP on her key takeaways from the week, as well as from several members on why Nuclear Week was important to them.

January Headlines

The Key News and Announcements

• In Cabinet Office Oral Questions, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Darren Jones MP criticised the Scottish Government’s opposition to new nuclear projects, stating “the SNP have failed Scotland for far too long”.

  
  

• In a Business of the House debate, APPG Conservative Co-Chair David Mundell MP hailed “the success of the fifth Nuclear Week in Parliament”, crediting how it “showcased all aspects of the industry” and its “numerous engagement opportunities” particularly relating to Scotland. In response, Alan Campbell MP, Leader of the House of Commons stated that “it is a pity that that ambition is not shared by the SNP, which on these matters seems to care little about the jobs and greater energy security that are associated with projects like these.”

  
  

• In the Wales Oral Questions, APPG member Jamie Stone MP praised the building of new nuclear at Wylfa, whilst calling the Scottish Government’s opposition to new nuclear development “a crying shame”. Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens MP credited this point, “particularly as it is Nuclear Week” and criticised the Scottish Government, emphasising that “not only do they waste money, but they refuse investment and jobs in their own country.”

  
  

• During a House of Lords debate on High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors, APPG member Baroness Bloomfield encouraged the government to ensure the National Nuclear Laboratory works closely with the Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The minister responsible for nuclear, Lord Vallance, confirmed the government would soon publish the Advanced Nuclear Framework that will introduce an assessment process to identify credible projects.

  
  

• Also in the debate, APPG members Viscount Hanworth endorsed the introduction of thorium and fast-neutron reactors, Lord Naseby praised the government’s record in this field whilst requesting they reduce consultation length, whilst Lord Spellar argued for doing “the maximum amount of engineering” for these projects domestically. These suggestions were all positively received by Minister Vallance, who clarified the goal of 70% of the Rolls-Royce SMR supply chain being British based.

  
  

• The government announced a landmark deal between UK and US nuclear experts. Nuclear Transport Solutions and Westinghouse signed a strategic agreement to work together on the development of Pegasus, which will allow the safe movement of High Assay Low Enriched Uranium, an efficient nuclear fuel.

  
  

• The Office for Nuclear Regulation announced Hinkley Point B has been declared fuel free, confirming a successful defueling both on time and on budget. It’s the second AGR station to achieve the feat, with seven stations due to transfer from EDF to the NDA for decommissioning.

  
  

• The Committee on Radioactive Waste Management released a response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review, acknowledging it “provides a very helpful and comprehensive account” of current nuclear regulation, and “highlights some important obstacles to new nuclear projects”.

  
  

Read more here - https://mailchi.mp/48f5a9b8c84...