The Government has signalled its willingness to maintain research collaboration with European partners after the UK leaves the EU by continuing to provide UK funding for the Joint European Torus (JET) project, the Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark announced last week.

This supports the UK’s ambition to be the ‘go to’ place for scientists and innovators across the world, and to secure the right outcome for the UK’s research base as it leaves the EU.

Mr 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.

“This funding commitment highlights the importance we place on this partnership and our desire for this valuable work to continue uninterrupted.

“The JET project is home to the world’s largest and most advanced nuclear fusion reactor and has led global efforts to develop a clean and safe energy source. It supports 1,300 jobs in the UK, 600 of which are highly skilled scientists and engineers.”

Science Minister Jo Johnson said: “For nearly half a century, the UK has hosted national and international researchers who have brought us closer to realising one of science’s greatest prizes — a clean, safe and virtually inexhaustible energy source.

“Our exit from the EU has not altered our desire for the UK to continue playing a leading role in furthering our scientific understanding, and today’s announcement aims to provide the necessary reassurance for us to continue this partnership.”

The UK’s contract to maintain and run the JET project is managed by the UK Atomic Energy Authority and is due to end in December 2018. As part of this contract, the EU currently provides around £60 million of funding per year, which represents 88% of JET’s running costs.

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