Boris Johnson is backing a new generation of nuclear reactors as Britain finds itself in the grip of an energy crisis.
Ministers are understood to have adopted a “change of focus” towards nuclear power, which the prime minister sees as essential to the government achieving its 2050 net zero targets as well as his levelling-up agenda.
Kwasi Kwarteng, the business secretary, is poised to approve funding for Rolls-Royce to create a fleet of mini reactors. Rolls-Royce believes the project to install at least 16 plants could create 40,000 jobs by 2050 in the Midlands, the north of England and elsewhere.
A consortium led by the engineering firm has secured the £210 million needed to unlock matching funding from taxpayers. It will be the first developer
