Ministers have invested £341 million in the Sizewell C nuclear power station project in Suffolk.

This adds to the government’s previous £870 million stake and aims to accelerate the growth of nuclear energy in the UK.

The funding is part of the strategy to prepare for construction, secure essential supplies and increase the workforce.

Sizewell C is predicted to provide energy for around six million homes over 60 years.

This investment supports the government’s goal of generating up to a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs from nuclear sources by 2050.

Minister for Nuclear and Networks Andrew Bowie said: “Today’s funding announcement is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to this vital project, and will mean the site will be shovel-ready and work able to start, much more quickly.”