Rolls-Royce nuclear deal 'will safeguard city jobs'

Bosses at Rolls-Royce have said winning a government contract to build three state of the art nuclear reactors will help to safeguard research jobs in Derby.

The company has been selected as the preferred bidder to provide small modular reactor (SMR) technology, which it is hoped could bring down energy bills.

Tuesday's announcement follows a two-year bidding process run by Great British Energy - Nuclear, which saw Rolls-Royce competing against several international rivals.

The firm says the £2.5bn deal will allow it to potentially become a world leader in what it sees as a growing international market.

Chanceller Rachel Reeves has committed £16.7bn to nuclear power projects as the country shifts away from fossil fuels.

Officials hope SMRs will be cheaper and quicker to build than traditional power plants, and projects could be connected to the grid by the mid-2030s.

Rolls-Royce's reactors are likely to be built on the sites of existing nuclear power plants across the UK, with the hope of reducing the UK's reliance on imported gas.

The firm says each SMR power station will produce enough stable, affordable and emission-free energy to power a million homes for at least 60 years.

Company bosses told the BBC the contract announcement would protect research jobs at its Jubilee House base at Pride Park.

The news has been welcomed by Baggy Shanker, Labour MP for Derby South and chair of the all-party parliamentary group on small modular reactors.

He said: "This is a major step forward for Britain. Selecting Derby's very own Rolls-Royce SMR as the UK's preferred bidder shows the power of backing British engineering, skills and ambition."

Catherine Atkinson, Labour MP for Derby North and vice-chair of the all-party parliamentary group, added: "This is about delivering practical change: lower bills for families, new opportunities, and a more secure future built here at home.

"Cities like Derby have the skills and ambition to lead the way."

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