While research into fusion is vital for the future of nuclear power, research and training into nuclear fission is needed to deal with the legacy left by existing nuclear power plants. Without skilled nuclear engineers we cannot safely maintain or decommission these plants and come up with the best solutions to the problems of managing nuclear waste. Retaining skills in this area is also important in case, in the future, the UK or other countries decide that new fission power plants must be built.

• EPSRC already supports training related to nuclear technology and the nuclear industry. For example, students at the University of Birmingham can undertake an MSc in the Physics and Technology of Nuclear Reactors. An Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in nuclear skills is also planned.

• A new £6 million initiative, Keeping the Nuclear Option Open, will fund research into maintaining current fission power generation, examining fission power as part of a sustainable energy economy and looking into the future of fission power.