Deal to fast track small modular reactors will boost energy security and jobs in Hartlepool
15th September 2025
Luke Myer MP today welcomed the landmark agreement between the UK and the United States that will speed up the roll out of small modular reactors and could deliver thousands of jobs, including up to 2,500 in the Tees Valley.
The deal will make it quicker for companies to build new nuclear power stations in both countries by recognising each other’s safety assessments and reducing duplicated regulatory work, cutting the time taken for a project licence from around three or four years to roughly two. The partnership is part of the government drive to grow homegrown clean power, strengthen energy security and create high quality local jobs.
This announcement comes at a moment of rapid growth in the UK nuclear sector, which has added around 11,000 jobs this year as investment in new projects and small modular reactors ramps up. The new commercial deals build on that momentum and offer a major boost for communities across the north east and the rest of the country.
Luke Myer MP said:
“This is real progress for energy security, climate action and for good jobs right across our region. Hartlepool has a long history of skilled engineering and construction and these plans could bring thousands of well paid jobs and long term investment to local people across our region.
“We need more clean homegrown power so families can see lower bills and our local economy can thrive. I welcome the partnership between the UK and the United States and I will keep working to make sure communities in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland benefit from the opportunities nuclear can bring.”
REFERENCES
- Luke is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy.
- Further reading: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero statement and background: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/golden-age-of-nuclear-delivers-uk-us-deal-on-energy-security
- The Mirror: Golden age of nuclear will create jobs and protect Brits from energy shocks – Ed Miliband: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/ed-miliband-golden-age-nuclear-35900389
- BBC – UK and US unveil nuclear energy deal ahead of Trump visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgzevzwxwro
- The Times – Ministers to fast-track new generation of small nuclear power stations: https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/ministers-to-fast-track-new-generation-of-small-nuclear-power-stations-frjf0z2km
- The Guardian – UK and US line up string of deals to build modular nuclear reactors in Britain: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/sep/15/uk-and-us-line-up-string-of-deals-to-build-modular-nuclear-reactors-in-britain
- ‘Historic’ nuclear deal to create 2,500 jobs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy8rev045xgo