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Sizewell C new nuclear plant under review Sizewell C: Government denies new nuclear plant under review
(36 minutes later)
The site for Sizewell C, near existing nuclear buildings on the coast of SuffolkThe site for Sizewell C, near existing nuclear buildings on the coast of Suffolk
A new nuclear power plant in Suffolk is under review and all options are being looked at as the government tries to cut spending, the BBC has been told. The government has denied that plans for a new nuclear power plant in the south east of England is under review.
A government official had told the BBC that every major project was under review "including Sizewell C" as it tries to cut spending.
But on Friday Downing Street quashed the idea that plant would be now delayed or reviewed.
However, a new high-speed rail line in the north of England is expected to be significantly scaled back.
Sizewell C was expected to provide up to 7% of the UK's total electricity needs, but critics have argued it will be expensive and take years to build.Sizewell C was expected to provide up to 7% of the UK's total electricity needs, but critics have argued it will be expensive and take years to build.
"We are reviewing every major project - including Sizewell C," a government official told the BBC. The plant is not expected to begin generating electricity until the 2030s. However, it would be difficult to axe Sizewell C as it was a manifesto pledge in 2019.
But Downing Street squashed reports it would be now delayed or reviewed. On Friday, the Prime Minister's spokesman said it "hoped to get a deal over the line as soon as possible", adding that talks with private firms over funding had been "constructive" and that negotiations were ongoing.
Asked if the project was being reviewed in advance of the Autumn statement the spokesman said "no".
Asked if the plant could be delayed, the Prime Minister's spokesman said it "hoped to get a deal over the line as soon as possible."
"There are negotiations ongoing", he added saying talks with private companies had been "constructive".
The plant is not expected to begin generating electricity until the 2030s. It would be difficult to axe Sizewell C as it was a manifesto pledge in 2019.
The government is due to unveil its tax and spending plans under new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the Autumn Statement on 17 November.The government is due to unveil its tax and spending plans under new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at the Autumn Statement on 17 November.
However, a new high-speed rail line in the north of England is expected to be significantly scaled back. The new Business Secretary, Grant Shapps, gave the clearest indication yet that recent commitments by former Prime Minister Liz Truss were very likely to be scaled back.
But the new Business Secretary, Grant Shapps, gave the clearest indication yet that recent commitments by former Prime Minister Liz Truss were very likely to be scaled back.
Ms Truss had pledged to build a major rail scheme in northern England in full, with a high-speed link eventually connecting towns and cities from Hull to Liverpool, through Bradford.Ms Truss had pledged to build a major rail scheme in northern England in full, with a high-speed link eventually connecting towns and cities from Hull to Liverpool, through Bradford.
But the plans for the rail line - known as Northern Powerhouse Rail - are now expected to be reduced.But the plans for the rail line - known as Northern Powerhouse Rail - are now expected to be reduced.
Speaking to the BBC, the business secretary said that journeys between Manchester and Leeds for example, have already been reduced to half an hour, as promised in the Conservative party's 2019 manifesto.Speaking to the BBC, the business secretary said that journeys between Manchester and Leeds for example, have already been reduced to half an hour, as promised in the Conservative party's 2019 manifesto.
"There wasn't really much point in going and blasting new tunnels through the Pennines… it's not true to say we're not delivering on what we said we would do on levelling up the north," he said."There wasn't really much point in going and blasting new tunnels through the Pennines… it's not true to say we're not delivering on what we said we would do on levelling up the north," he said.
However, Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership lobby group said scaling back the rail line raised "serious questions" about the government's plans to boost growth.However, Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership lobby group said scaling back the rail line raised "serious questions" about the government's plans to boost growth.
"The North's woeful transport infrastructure continues to weigh down our economy and hold back private investment."The North's woeful transport infrastructure continues to weigh down our economy and hold back private investment.
"This option saves little to nothing to Treasury coffers now. Northern Powerhouse Rail is still in early development stage meaning that the vast majority of the investment needed is well beyond the current spending review period.""This option saves little to nothing to Treasury coffers now. Northern Powerhouse Rail is still in early development stage meaning that the vast majority of the investment needed is well beyond the current spending review period."
What is Sizewell C and where will it be?What is Sizewell C and where will it be?
Last month, Ms Truss and France's President, Emmanuel Macron, pledged "full support" for Sizewell C on Suffolk's coast, which is set to be developed by French energy company EDF.Last month, Ms Truss and France's President, Emmanuel Macron, pledged "full support" for Sizewell C on Suffolk's coast, which is set to be developed by French energy company EDF.
The government gave the go-ahead for the plant in July. EDF has said it could generate enough for about six million homes.The government gave the go-ahead for the plant in July. EDF has said it could generate enough for about six million homes.
But there was confusion on Thursday as executives at EDF - already building a new plant at Hinkley in Somerset - and the Department for Business seemed blindsided by a potential change in tack on existing government policy, which promises to press ahead with both large and smaller scale nuclear projects.
"As far we know, it's still on", said one nuclear industry executive close to the matter.
New large-scale nuclear plants have been a key part of a government strategy to help reduce the UK's reliance on fossil fuels. Boris Johnson whilst PM declared it was his intention to build eight new reactors in the next eight years.New large-scale nuclear plants have been a key part of a government strategy to help reduce the UK's reliance on fossil fuels. Boris Johnson whilst PM declared it was his intention to build eight new reactors in the next eight years.
A shift away from that position would represent a major change in UK energy policy that some will lament and some will celebrate. A shift away from that position would represent a major change in UK energy policy.
But it would do little to convince investors in the UK - domestic and foreign - that they are dealing with a government with stable policy priorities.
While campaigning for the Conservative leadership in the summer, Mr Sunak pledged to uphold Mr Johnson's plan to build eight new reactors.While campaigning for the Conservative leadership in the summer, Mr Sunak pledged to uphold Mr Johnson's plan to build eight new reactors.
He also argued in favour of reforming licensing laws to allow the government to deliver more nuclear plants in a bid to achieve energy independence by 2045.He also argued in favour of reforming licensing laws to allow the government to deliver more nuclear plants in a bid to achieve energy independence by 2045.