Baroness Margaret Curran has been appointed Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero in the House of Lords, following the retirement of Lord Hunt. She inherits a high-stakes brief at a crucial moment, particularly for the UK’s nuclear sector. Her portfolio includes responsibility for nuclear, individual planning decisions and DESNZ businesses in the House of Lords. With the Government expected to announce its Final Investment Decision for Sizewell C in a few weeks, the new Minister takes up her post at a critical time for the nuclear sector.
Who is Baroness Curran?
A seasoned Labour politician, Baroness Curran brings experience from both Westminster and the Scottish Parliament. She served as an MSP from 1999 to 2011, including time as a Junior Minister for Social Justice and as Minister for Communities, before becoming MP for Glasgow East in 2010. She was Shadow Secretary of State for Scotland under Ed Miliband from 2012 to 2015, and was appointed to the Lords in January 2025.
Curran has already taken an interest in energy debates in the Lords. She has spoken in favour of pragmatic collaboration with the Scottish Government on nuclear energy[1] and warned against setting unrealistic targets that risk fuelling public scepticism over net zero commitments.[2]
Her background in Scottish politics is likely to have played a role in her appointment as Lord Hunt’s successor, with the Government looking to pair portfolios with Ministers who understand regional sensitivities. Energy Minister Michael Shanks’ nationality is key to his portfolio, which includes the establishment of Great British Energy in Aberdeen. Nuclear energy remains a contested topic in Scotland, with new nuclear opposed by current SNP Government.[3] Torness nuclear power station, Scotland’s last, will close in 2030.[4] Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar has argued that this approach will make Scotland “less safe and less secure”.
Looking ahead: Spending Review
Baroness Curran takes office just as two critical announcements are expected: the Final Investment Decision (FID) on Sizewell C and the results of GB Nuclear’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) selection process. Both are expected to coincide with the Spending Review on 11 June and will define the trajectory of the UK’s nuclear ambitions for the next decade. [5]
Sizewell C is central to the Government’s net zero and energy security goals, but concerns remain over cost and deliverability. Meanwhile, the SMR competition could reshape the domestic nuclear supply chain, offering new opportunities for UK industry. As the responsible Minister, Curran will be expected to provide political stability and clarity to a sector that has often suffered from policy volatility.
Nuclear Decommissioning Budget
Another immediate challenge is the potential reductions to the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s budget (NDA) for 2026-27.[6] A potential cut to the NDA has proved to be unpopular and the GMB Union has already warned that nuclear safety must not be compromised.[7]
Curran will need to balance fiscal pressures with the need to maintain long-term credibility in the Government’s nuclear strategy. How she handles this early test could set the tone for her tenure.
Other considerations
Curran steps in during a time of complex political and public dynamics. Hinkley Point C continues to draw scrutiny over delays and safety issues, while a new wave of power station decommissioning is due before the end of this Parliament. Scotland’s only remaining nuclear stations, Torness, is set to close by 2030. Whilst the SNP remain firmly opposed to new nuclear, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar MSP has pushed back, warning that Scotland risks becoming “less safe and less secure” without new nuclear.
At the same time, nuclear is increasingly poised to play a key role in supporting key new industries such as AI. Curran will need cautiously manage the cost concerns surrounding nuclear, particularly in Scotland, against the potential role nuclear will play in supporting future industries.
Conclusion
Baroness Curran takes up her post at a defining moment for the UK’s nuclear sector. From major investment decisions and funding battles, to political friction across the UK, the issues in her in-tray are both urgent and complex. How she navigates them will shape not only the future of UK nuclear, but also Labour’s broader energy credibility.
As the new Minister establishes her brief, businesses have a window to shape the agenda and reinforce nuclear’s role in the UK’s energy future. Clear, solutions-focused engagement that recognises the political and fiscal landscape will be key to ensuring constructive outcomes.
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Notes
[1] Baroness Curran, Hansard, 18 March 2025, Link
[2] Baroness Curran, Hansard, 3 April 2025, Link
[3] Scottish Government, Policy Paper ‘Nuclear energy’, Link
[4] BBC, ‘Lifespan of four nuclear power stations extended’, 3 December 2024, Link
[5] BBC, ‘Sizewell C nuclear plant gets go-ahead from government’ 20 July 2022, Link
[6] Michael Shanks, Hansard, 7 April 2025, UIN 43655, Link
[7] New Civil Engineer, ‘NDA funding under threat as minister confirms it is part of Spending Review’, 9 April 2025, Link
