Sunday 25 May 2014

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) welcomes publication of the UK Government’s Nuclear Supply Chain Action Plan and the important step which it represents in ensuring that UK organisations can play a major part in supporting future nuclear projects in Britian and overseas. 

NNL is particularly pleased to see such a strong emphasis on the importance of R&D in the report, and we welcome the comment from Business Minister Michael Fallon that:

“Our support for R&D through our outstanding national institutions and scientific/engineering expertise will be instrumental in securing the UK’s place among the top nuclear nations.”

We are also delighted to see the commitment in Action 12 of the report to NNL’s role being boosted (“NNL will play a greater strategic role in marketing UK nuclear capability and R&D overseas”) and we look forward to working closely with BIS and DECC, as well as other nuclear organisations, over the coming months to achieve this aim.

NNL’s Managing Director, Prof Paul Howarth, commented:

“This report is a major milestone in taking forward the aspirations of the UK nuclear supply chain to be ready for opportunities at home and abroad which will be arising over the coming years. The UK has a tremendously strong and varied nuclear heritage, much of which is underpinned by expertise which now resides in NNL. I am pleased to see this recognised by Government in this important report and I’m looking forward to working with Government and others to take this activity forward.”