The development of nuclear energy, including small modular reactors, should continue to be a key pillar of government energy policy under a new prime minister, a report by the Policy Exchange think tank has said.

The report, which presented a series of policy ideas for new leadership following the resignation of Theresa May, said there is no other low-carbon energy which can match nuclear power for scale and reliability, as well as the potential to use it for other services like district heating and hydrogen production.

It said the government should ensure any continued support of nuclear in the UK includes a “twin track” approach of deploying Generation III and IV technologies alongside large-scale reactors.