The UK government exploring the potential for reducing regulatory burdens for the construction of new nuclear power stations as it pushes ahead with its ambition to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050.

Minister for nuclear Andrew Bowie told MPs on 27 February that the government wants to speed up the consenting and licensing of new nuclear power stations without impacting safety, security or environmental protections.

“We are also looking to introduce a range of other streamlining measures, including the action plan for reform, which sets out reforms to the nationally significant infrastructure projects regime,” Bowie told a debate on new nuclear in parliament’s lower house, the House of Commons.