No10 denies new nuclear plant at Sizewell C will be delayed or scrapped

Reports emerged that plans for a new nuclear power plant at Sizewell C in Suffolk could be scrapped altogether due to a cut back in spending by the Government

No10 has denied claims that plans for a nuclear power plant at Sizewell C in Suffolk could be delayed or even ditched altogether in cost-cutting measures.

It comes after a government official told the BBC "every major project", including the plant, was under review ahead of the Autumn statement.

Boris Johnson promised £700 million in investment for Sizewell C in one of his last acts as Prime Minister in September.

But this would only be a fraction of the overall cost of the plant, and critics have complained about the price tag and the length of time it would take to be ready.

When completed, Sizewell C would be expected to provide 7% of the country’s overall electricity requirement but it would not be ready until the 2030s.

Last month, then Prime Minister Liz Truss and French President Emmanuel Macron had given their “full support” for the nuclear power plant on the Suffolk coast which would be partly developed by the French energy company EDF.

The government had given the green light for Sizewell C last July and before leaving office, with Boris Johnson gave his full backing to the nuclear power plant.

Speaking on Friday, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said "no" when asked about reports that the Government intends to scrap the major project.

"It's not accurate to say we are scrapping it," he added. "Our position on Sizewell C has not changed.

"It remains crucial to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, increasing our energy security and meeting our net zero emissions."

Pressed on whether there was any review of the project, he replied: "No."

"We hope to get a deal over the line as soon as possible. There are negotiations ongoing - I can't get into the detail of those - but negotiations have been instructed."

Possible cost cutting measures by Rishi Sunak ’s government means that a high speed rail link planned for the north of England may also be scrapped.

Ms Truss had pledged to construct a fully comprehensive high-speed rail network - known as the Northern Powerhouse Rail - but they could well now be scaled back.

New Business Secretary Grant Shapps told the BBC: "There wasn't really much point in going and blasting new tunnels through the Pennines… It's not true to say we're not delivering on what we said we would do on levelling up the north."

Tax and spending plans are due to be announced by the Government at the Autumn Statement on November 17.

A Treasury spokesperson has reportedly said that delivering infrastructure projects are "a priority".

"HS2 is underway, within budget, and supporting 28,000 jobs, we are also seeking to approve at least one large-scale nuclear project in the next few years and aim to speed up the delivery of around 100 major infrastructure projects across the UK," the spokesperson told the BBC.

The Mirror has contacted Downing Street for a comment.