Sizewell C nuclear power station gets GOV go ahead
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The government is set to sign off a £14.2bn investment to build the new Sizewell C nuclear power station in Suffolk, ending years of delay and paving the way for 10,000 construction jobs

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a major funding boost for the long-delayed Sizewell C nuclear power project, ending over a decade of uncertainty around the Suffolk-based development.

Speaking at the GMB Congress, Reeves confirmed that the government has unlocked the necessary funds by revising its fiscal rules, freeing up £113 billion for additional capital investment across departments — including critical infrastructure like energy.

This long-awaited financial commitment marks a significant shift in the UK’s energy policy and signals the beginning of the largest nuclear building programme in a generation.

⚡ A New Era for British Nuclear Power

The twin-reactor plant at Sizewell C will have the capacity to power six million homes and play a central role in the UK’s transition to low-carbon energy. The project is expected to support:

  • 1,500 apprenticeships

  • Thousands of jobs across the national supply chain

  • Around £330 million in contracts already awarded to local businesses

  • A forecast that 70% of the total supply value will go to British firms

💼 Private Investment Still Required

While the government has now secured public funding, Sizewell C’s construction partner EDF must still attract private investors ahead of the final investment decision next month. Confidence in the project is high, in part because Sizewell C will replicate much of the design and supply chain established for Hinkley Point C, significantly reducing construction risk and complexity.

🧱 Unlocking the Nuclear Sector

Reeves hailed the announcement as a key moment for national renewal:

“Today we are once again investing in Britain’s renewal, with the biggest nuclear building programme in a generation. This landmark decision is our Plan for Change in action.”

First proposed in 2009, Sizewell C has faced years of delays and policy reversals. Its confirmation marks a turning point in the UK’s energy ambitions.

In addition to backing large-scale nuclear, the government is preparing to invest heavily in next-generation technologies, including:

  • One of Europe’s first small modular reactor (SMR) fleets

  • A £2.5 billion commitment to nuclear fusion R&D

  • A £4 billion investment over 10 years in the Plymouth naval base to support civil and defence nuclear operations

  • £6 billion for submarine manufacturing at Barrow and Derby

  • £420 million for Sheffield Forgemasters, safeguarding more than 1,600 jobs

🔋 Powering the Future

When complete, Sizewell C, Hinkley Point C, and the forthcoming SMR programme will deliver more nuclear power in the 2030s than the UK has generated over the past 50 years combined.

This new wave of investment underlines Britain’s commitment to energy security, net-zero emissions, and industrial revitalisation through high-skilled, clean-tech employment.