A BILL which will set the economic landscape for new nuclear projects in the UK is set to go before Parliament and those with a vested interest in the sector hope to see the Government deliver on plans.

The Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill enters the committee stage in Parliament on Tuesday November 16, meaning that MPs will scrutinise its contents, deciding whether any changes are necessary.

If passed, the bill will make provision for the implementation of a regulated asset base model for nuclear energy generation projects " it also involves revenue collection for the purposes of the model.

Making plans like Small Modular Reactors and STEP's prototype fusion reactor attractive to potential investors could be positive news for Copeland which has the Moorside site, suitable for new nuclear developments, neighbouring Sellafield.

Whitehaven Town Councillor Edwin Dinsdale is keen to see a positive outcome for Copeland from the Nuclear Energy (Financing) Bill.

He said: "It does feel to me like indirect state aid funding which from a personal point of view I'd welcome."

However, the Labour member for Corkickle South Ward said that the Government needs to act fast to ensure the delivery of plans like a Clean Energy Hub at Moorside.

"I'm really concerned about the timeline, how long this is going to take. I'm really concerned that they've kicked the can down the road for 10 to 15 years"

Cllr Dinsdale believes that if new nuclear projects are not delivered, West Cumbria could lose skilled workers from the nuclear sector to regions with new or existing developments."

Sizewell C in Suffolk is believed to be the next site providing clean energy from nuclear reactors. Moorside in Copeland is shortlisted for the prototype fusion reactor, competing with sites in North Ayrshire and Nottinghamshire.

Cllr Dinsdale said: "There's going to be a gap between Sellafield winding down and the new projects ramping up. What do we do to retain the current skills we've got?

"How we bridge that gap between the old projects coming offline and the new projects coming online is going to be absolutely critical."

MP for Copeland Trudy Harrison recently welcomed the news that Rolls Royce SMR has secured funding for small modular reactors in the UK.

She pledged to continue lobbying for Moorside to be the home of the reactors.

"SMRs will deliver clean, low-carbon, affordable energy and will play a significant role in our net zero ambitions."

She said: "Our community knows more about nuclear power than anywhere else in Europe, and we have a deep talent pool with a track record of safety and deliverability, and Copeland should be at the forefront of this new and exciting development."