Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the National Nuclear User Facility ending in March 2024 on Great British Nuclear; if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending funding for that scheme beyond March 2024; and whether he has had recent discussions with relevant stakeholder on that scheme.

The National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF) is funded through UKRI and provides equipment for, and access to, state-of-the-art experimental facilities focused on research and development in nuclear science and technology. This work is very different to more mature commercial reactor technologies expected to engage with Great British Nuclear.

Funding beyond 2024 would be a matter for UKRI and my colleagues in their sponsor department, and would need be considered in the context of future priorities and budget allocations in the next spending review.