Deal with US paves way for big expansion of UK nuclear power

Labour's plans for a massive expansion of nuclear power have been given a boost with a series of transatlantic deals for new reactors announced in advance of President Trump's visit.

- Gwyn Topham

The US and UK governments have promised to fast-track safety checks and announced several new private sector investment deals, with Labour emphasising the potential benefits for jobs and growth.

In the biggest and most advanced commercial project, Britain's largest energy supplier, Centrica, will partner with the US reactor firm X-energy to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, announcing an investment that could create up to 2,500 jobs in north-east England.

The prime minister, Keir Starmer, said the US-UK agreement, expected to be signed off formally during the state visit, was a "landmark nuclear partnership" that would also power economic growth.

He said: "These major commitments set us well on course to a golden age of nuclear that will drive down household bills in the long run, while delivering thousands of good jobs in the short term."

Britain and the US will accept each other's safety checks on reactor designs, almost halving the time for a nuclear project to be licensed to about two years.