Nuclear Research And Development Capabilities: House Of Lords Paper 221 Session 2010-12

The Science And Technology Committee Concludes That The Government Is Too Complacent About The Uk's Nuclear Research And Development (r&d) Capabilities, And Associated Expertise, Which Will Be Lost Unless There Is A Fundamental Change In The Government's Approach. The Committee's Key Recommendations Include: The Development Of A Long-term Strategy For Nuclear Energy Looking Beyond 2025, Outlining Support For R&d Through An R&d Roadmap And For The Commercial Exploitation Of The Uk's Current Strengths In Nuclear Research; The Establishment Of A Nuclear R&d Board, Made Up Of Industry, Academic And Government Partners, To Develop And Implement The R&d Roadmap And Help To Improve The Co-ordination Of R&d Activities To Protect Vulnerable Areas Of Research And Close Gaps In Capabilities. Many Of The Uk's Experts In R&d On Nuclear Energy Are Nearing Retirement Age, And A Lack Of Investment Over The Last Two Decades Means That The Uk Is Now In Danger Of Being In A Position Where It Will Be Unable To Ensure A Safe And Secure Supply Of Nuclear Energy Up To 2050. The Government Must Take Steps Now To Ensure That There Is A New Generation Of Experts, Together With R&d, On Which The Nuclear Industry, Government And The Regulator Rely.