Testing the political appetite for new nuclear power

The UK Government has an ambition for 24 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2050. That’s almost double the highest installed capacity the UK has ever achieved. Such an aspiration needs significant political support at a national level and locally to support developments.

So where are our UK politicians in terms of the need for new nuclear?

Cavendish, in collaboration with the Nuclear Industry Association, commissioned YouGov to conduct a survey of MPs from across the UK to help us understand their views on new nuclear energy, and the extent to which they would support or oppose the development of new advanced nuclear technologies within their constituencies.

Positive about nuclear

Our survey found that just over two-thirds (68%) of MPs support advanced nuclear technology in their constituency, with 88% of Conservative MPs and 54% of Labour MPs in favour.

The appetite from the Conservatives has been shown in UK Government policy: from the progression of Sizewell C and creation of Great British Nuclear, to funding programmes such as the Future Nuclear Enabling Fund.

Labour has expressed its support for new nuclear and through Great British Energy would “drive investment and innovation in the UK’s nuclear industry, which is critical for our energy security”.  Despite this, our results suggest the sector must continue to clearly relay the benefit of advanced nuclear technologies to key figures within the Party prior to a General Election.

Our survey showed opposition is strongest amongst Scottish MPs, with 100% of those surveyed opposing new nuclear technology which matches the Scottish Government’s stance that it “opposes the building of new nuclear stations using current technologies”.

Greatest support can be found amongst MPs in the East, South East and South West, with 88% of MPs supporting new nuclear technology in their constituencies. Northern MPs are also strongly in favour, with 74% of those in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber in support, in comparison to 18% in opposition.

Building trust in new nuclear 

Nuclear delivers huge social and economic benefits in comparison to many other energy sources, a benefit MPs recognise.

Our research showed across the political spectrum, MPs see jobs and skills as being the biggest benefit to their constituency of having a nuclear facility over energy security and reduced energy prices. MPs in the North East, the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber identified the benefits of jobs and skills (72%), energy security (58%) and benefits to the local supply chain (44%) more important than the contribution to net zero (25%).

Waste challenges 

For all the enthusiasm, there are ongoing concerns in terms of nuclear waste, from MPs across the board. Nuclear power is the only large-scale energy-producing technology that takes full responsibility for all its waste, safety and environmental impact. The waste legacy is a key concern across all parties, however the SNP are the most concerned with it (92%), alongside having safety concerns (84%).

For Northern MPs, concern over waste (46%) is closely followed by concern about the length of time it takes to get planning permission (43%). Whilst we’ve seen the Government make moves to reform the National Significant Infrastructure Project regime, it is unlikely in the short term that new nuclear will benefit, especially as the updated policy statement for nuclear isn’t expected until 2025.

What is clear from our research is that the nuclear industry is in a strong position to maintain momentum, driving policy and political support for this low-carbon energy source. To do this the sector must continue to carve out nuclear’s distinct position against other low-carbon energy sources, showcasing its ability to bring high- quality jobs and skills to the UK and local supply chains, alongside benefits around energy security and net zero.

You can download the full report at https://cavendishconsulting.com/insights/how-political-is-nuclear/