Keir Starmer hopes plans to encourage investments in SMRs will allow nuclear expansion in England and Wales

• PM unveils plan for large nuclear expansion across England and Wales

Keir Starmer has vowed to “rip up the rules” of the nuclear industry by allowing a new breed of mini reactors to be built for the first time in the UK.

The prime minister’s move to encourage fresh investment in small modular reactors (SMRs) could allow new nuclear projects to spring up across England and Wales – not just on the country’s eight designated nuclear sites. However, it may put the government on a collision course with local communities.