Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to allow private sector bids for use of americium produced from used nuclear reactor fuel.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The department recognises the potential importance of americium for advanced technologies, including space power systems.

Whilst no decisions have been taken, government continue to explore opportunities for collaboration with industry. Any future private sector involvement would need to comply with strict safety, security and regulatory frameworks.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to scale up the production of americium from used nuclear reactor fuel.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department is supporting the UK’s National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL)’s work to extract americium from the UK’s civil separated plutonium inventory at Sellafield for the European Space Agency’s (ESA’s) ENDURE Programme.

Discussions are taking place with industry, public bodies and wider government prior to any decision making beyond current commitments.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to produce a strategy or consultation on the potential of creating a sovereign supply of medical isotopes to ensure cancer patients receive the treatment they require.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Medical radioisotopes can be produced in different ways, and the United Kingdom has a comprehensive network of cyclotrons used for radioisotope manufacture. These tend to be placed close to the point of use due to the short half-life of these products. The radioisotopes manufactured in these cyclotrons are not suitable for all uses, and so hospitals and trusts in England use a significant number of isotopes manufactured in research reactors. There are currently no reactors in the UK that manufacture medical isotopes, all of these are therefore imported.

The Government does not have any current plans to produce a strategy or to consult on the potential for further domestic medical radioisotope manufacture. However, the Government prioritises the reliable supply of medicines, including the supply of medical radioisotopes for critical services. The Government therefore offers support for private investors and developers to increase manufacture capacity.

The Government has made up to £520 million available through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund to support UK manufacture of medicine and medical technology products. Applications looking to establish, expand, or improve the UK-based manufacture of medical radioisotopes for diagnostic or therapeutic applications can apply to this fund.

The Government also recently announced a £54 million funding package for eight innovative research and development projects, including £9.9 million earmarked for Project Alpha 10.6 to explore how to make medical treatments from legacy nuclear material, something that could unlock the UK’s potential to develop promising new cancer therapies.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential of developing a medical isotope production capability to ensure a sovereign domestic supply of medical isotopes.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Medical radioisotopes can be produced in different ways, and the United Kingdom has a comprehensive network of cyclotrons used for radioisotope manufacture. These tend to be placed close to the point of use due to the short half-life of these products. The radioisotopes manufactured in these cyclotrons are not suitable for all uses, and so hospitals and trusts in England use a significant number of isotopes manufactured in research reactors. There are currently no reactors in the UK that manufacture medical isotopes, all of these are therefore imported.

The Government does not have any current plans to produce a strategy or to consult on the potential for further domestic medical radioisotope manufacture. However, the Government prioritises the reliable supply of medicines, including the supply of medical radioisotopes for critical services. The Government therefore offers support for private investors and developers to increase manufacture capacity.

The Government has made up to £520 million available through the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund to support UK manufacture of medicine and medical technology products. Applications looking to establish, expand, or improve the UK-based manufacture of medical radioisotopes for diagnostic or therapeutic applications can apply to this fund.

The Government also recently announced a £54 million funding package for eight innovative research and development projects, including £9.9 million earmarked for Project Alpha 10.6 to explore how to make medical treatments from legacy nuclear material, something that could unlock the UK’s potential to develop promising new cancer therapies.