Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of not associating with the Euratom Research and Training Programme on domestic science and research capability.

Association to Euratom R&T would need to provide value to the UK’s fusion sector, nuclear researchers and taxpayers. As such it must reflect the lasting impact of two years of delay when UK researchers and businesses were not able to engage in the Euratom R&T Programme or compete for contracts at ITER.

We have been working with the UK Atomic Energy Authority to design an ambitious expansion of activity to secure delivery of the UK’s Fusion Strategy, including support for public and private sector projects. If we cannot agree terms for association these new measures will be implemented.