Committee publication · Correspondence · 5 June 2026
Letter to the Minister of State for Energy relating to the use of overseas suppliers by Rolls-Royce SMR, 5 June 2026
Summary
The Business and Trade Committee chair writes to the Minister for Energy regarding Rolls-Royce SMR's decision to award contracts for key high-value components to overseas suppliers, particularly South Korea, despite the company receiving up to £599 million in public funding and Great British Energy-Nuclear targeting 70% UK content in supply chains. The letter raises concerns about alignment between government investment in priority growth sectors and plans to develop the UK supply chain.
Key findings
- Rolls-Royce SMR is to receive up to £599 million in public funding for small modular reactor development
- Great British Energy-Nuclear is targeting 70% UK content across supply chains, but key high-value components are expected to be built in South Korea
- The committee questions whether major public investment in a priority growth sector is matched by a coherent plan to develop and anchor the wider UK supply chain
- The letter seeks clarification on whether GB Energy-Nuclear's 70% 'British built' commitment remains valid and how progress against this target is being monitored
Tone
CriticalTopics
Key actors
Liam Byrne MP, Michael Shanks, Rolls-Royce SMR, Great British Energy-Nuclear, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, National Wealth Fund
Notable line
“… key high-value components are now expected to be built in South Korea.”
Key Quotes
“… it is not evident that a major public investment in a priority growth sector is being matched by a coherent plan to develop and anchor the wider UK supply chain.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗