The UK government’s proposed policy change taking away the right to judicial reviews for major clean energy infrastructure projects in order to stimulate development and economic growth has been welcomed by the country’s Nuclear Industry Association (NIA).

A policy paper published by the government proposes that the country’s parliament would be able to designate the most important of clean energy projects as being of “critical national importance”, which would reduce their exposure to judicial review apart from on human rights grounds.

The government said the policy move added to its Planning and Infrastructure Act of 2025 aimed at speeding up major projects by an average of 12 monthsand unlocking £7.5bn ($10bn, €8.7bn) in economic benefits over the next decade.

The UK aims to boost a new age of British nuclear energy generation, and a government review recognised nuclear power as being vital to meet its 2050 net zero commitment and a forecast doubling of electricity demand.