Government commits to nuclear fusion research post-Brexit

The Joint European Torus (JET) project, which is based at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy in Oxfordshire, is home to an advanced nuclear fusion reactor, and 600 highly skilled scientists and engineers.

Signalling the UK government’s commitment to the project, business secretary Greg Clark said: “JET is a prized facility at the centre of the UK’s global leadership in nuclear fusion research, which is why the government is taking every possible step to secure its future and to maintain highly-skilled jobs in the UK.”

The current contract, which includes £60m funding - or 88% of the running costs - per year from the EU, is due to end in December next year.

The UK’s commitment to continue funding the facility will apply if the EU were to approve extending the UK’s contract to host the facility until 2020. A discussion will then take place on the appropriate funding split.

Science minister Jo Johnson said: “Our exit from the EU has not altered our desire and willingness for the UK to continue playing a leading role in furthering our scientific understanding.”