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Select committee: Science and Technology Committee

Nuclear Research and Development Capabilities

Closed Opened 17 Mar 2011 Closed 17 Mar 2011

Science and Technology Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗

Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
Call for Evidence The inquiry will focus on what the Government should be doing if they are to ensure that the UK’s research and development capabilities are sufficient to meet our nuclear energy requirements into the future. It will examine, amongst other things, the research and development implications of future scenarios up to 2050 and whether the UK has adequate R&D capabilities, including infrastructure, to meet its current and future needs for a safe and secure supply of nuclear energy. The Committee decided to undertake this inquiry before the recent, tragic events in Japan at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Where it stands

The inquiry is closed, opened 17 March 2011.

The committee has published 1 report, most recently 3rd Report - Nuclear Research and Development Capabilities on 22 November 2011.

The government's response

Published 17 February 2012.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government welcomes the Committee's report and sets out proposed actions, with a long-term nuclear strategy and an R&D roadmap as its main response, while declining some structural recommendations.

  • On a long-term strategy, it "accepts that more can be done" and says it "will therefore publish a long-term strategy" on nuclear's role up to and beyond 2050 "in the summer".
  • It will lead development of a nuclear R&D roadmap, with delivery of the final document "envisaged before the end of 2012".
  • It will set up an Advisory Board under the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, which it believes is "the best approach" rather than the recommended independent non-departmental public body.
  • On extending the remits of the NDA, it "would have serious concerns" and does not plan to extend it; on funding, it wants a better understanding of current spend "before considering additional funding".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

Reports

All reports

Recent activity

Reports

1 report