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Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Thursday, 4 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 September 2025. It was answered by Michael Shanks (Labour) on Friday, 12 September 2025 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

Nuclear Fuels

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made on building the world’s first commercial scale High Assay Low Enriched Uranium fuel supply chain.

Answer

The UK’s £300m HALEU programme will be the first commercial scale capability outside of Russia and is due to deliver in the early 2030s.

The programme is already underway with site preparation work having commenced on the £196 million enrichment project at Urenco’s Capenhurst site, to develop an enrichment capability. Further funding has been allocated to support the HALEU supply chain through awards to National Transport Solution on transportation prototypes (including testing and development of pilot transport packages for safely and securely moving HALEU), the regulators and our National Nuclear Laboratory building our technical capabilities. This project will support building resilient nuclear supply chains, free from political interference and reduce global reliance on Russia.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
75313
Session
2024-26
Related items
The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy
Monday, 23 June 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects
Nuclear fuels
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk