HERE is the weekly column from Copeland MP Trudy Harrison.

It was a personal promise I made to Copeland to secure new nuclear – and I remain hellbent on doing so.

It’s not easy, but now more than ever, new nuclear is absolutely critical for the security of the UK’s energy supply, achieving net-zero, and for our next generation of apprentices, workers and for our local economy.

To that end, I met with Tom Samson, the Chief Executive of Rolls Royce SMR this week – following his meeting with the Prime Minister – to discuss the plan to bring small modular reactors to Copeland.

I’m following up our meeting with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Sellafield Ltd, the National Grid, Electricity North West, our local councils and, of course, most importantly the local workforce and community.

Sellafield Ltd is more than capable of operating a power station, with the support of our supply chain – and have a need for the power.

I am also speaking with hydrogen producers to close the sustainability circle, especially important for transport.

The next step is to form a crack team to make it happen in Copeland, on NDA land adjacent to Sellafield. To receive my regular nuclear newsletter with further information, please email me at Trudy.harrison@parliament.uk.

I am also this week encouraging constituents to propose their health and care heroes for national recognition.

I am again taking part in the annual NHS Parliamentary Awards, in which I can nominate individuals, teams or organisations from Copeland in a range of award categories, and I want to hear about - and celebrate - the range of ways our health and care sector are delivering the best quality service for their patients.

For further information about the categories and entry criteria, visit www.nhsparliamentaryawards.co.uk.

To discuss making a nomination, please contact me on 01229 718333 or Trudy.harrison.mp@parliament.uk before this Friday’s deadline.