Blockers won’t stand in the way of our energy security and path to lower bills, says Chancellor

Tuesday, 24 March 2026 00:01

In an increasingly uncertain world, Britain needs a diverse, secure, homegrown energy mix that shields families' bills from volatile fossil fuel markets – and outdated laws that hand a veto to a vocal few are not going to stand in the way of delivering it, the Chancellor is expected to tell the Commons today. With people worried about the cost of living and the economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East, the Chancellor is expected to deliver an update on the...Request free trial

In an increasingly uncertain world, Britain needs a diverse, secure, homegrown energy mix that shields families' bills from volatile fossil fuel markets – and outdated laws that hand a veto to a vocal few are not going to stand in the way of delivering it, the Chancellor is expected to tell the Commons today.
With people worried about the cost of living and the economic impact of the conflict in the Middle East, the Chancellor is expected to deliver an update on the situation to Parliament. She will pledge that the government will act to correct the failures of the past with a long-term economic plan that invests in Britain's energy security and brings down bills for working people for good.
As part of this, she is expected to confirm legislation this year to implement the Fingleton Review recommendations, with all reforms in place by the end of 2027.
The Chancellor is expected to highlight the increased importance in going further and faster to secure the next generation of nuclear power and to reclaim Britain's place as a leading nuclear nation. As part of £120 billion of public investment, construction is already starting at Sizewell C, contracts on the country's first small modular reactors in North Wales are due to be signed, and the government is negotiating an extension to the operating life of Sizewell B.
Reeves is also expected to announce that government-backed indemnities for critical energy security projects are being explored. Currently, when planning consent for a major project is legally challenged, construction can be forced to stall - meaning vital infrastructure is held up by the courts even where consent has been granted. The proposed indemnities would keep priority projects moving in those circumstances, protecting energy security and keeping the path to lower bills on track.

A government source said:

Britain needs a diverse energy mix to get off fossil fuels, bring down bills and give this country the energy security it deserves. We are getting on with delivering that.

We inherited years of failure on nuclear and years of laws that played into the hands of the blockers. We are fixing both. Through £120 billion of public investment - including in Sizewell C and Britain's first small modular reactors in North Wales - we are building the homegrown energy that will protect working people's bills for generations to come. That is the right economic plan and one where we back the builders not the blockers.