Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleRebecca Speare-ColeTuesday 14 April 2026 09:29 BSTRelated: Iranian man arrested with woman after ‘attempting to enter UK nuclear naval base’The UK government has signed a deal with Rolls-Royce to develop the nation's first small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).The agreement, announced by government-owned Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N), will see work begin immediately on creating three SMRs.Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the deal is "more important than ever" amidst the Middle East crisis, aiming to boost energy sovereignty and reduce reliance on volatile global fossil fuel prices.These SMRs are projected to generate enough low-carbon electricity to power approximately three million homes by the mid-2030s and support around 3,000 jobs during construction.The National Wealth Fund plans to invest up to £599 million to support the design stages of the SMRs, marking a significant push for new nuclear capacity after decades of underinvestment.In fullReeves hands Rolls-Royce £600m to develop UK’s first mini nuclear reactorsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in