SCIENCE Minister Chris Skidmore visited Culham Science Centre and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to science as the UK prepares to leave the European Union.

The MP called in at Reaction Engines yesterday, a company designing a new type of engine which would cut plane travel time from the UK to Australia to just two and a half hours.

The company’s chief executive Mark Thomas told Mr Skidmore the new type of engine is called the Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine and would be used in both high-speed aircraft and spacecraft.

READ AGAIN: Culham-based Reaction Engines starts work on test facility

Development of the engine has had £60m in backing from the UK Space Agency and £50m from the private sector.

Mr Skidmore said: “I believe there are two overarching priorities for UK science and research in the year to come. The first is the most urgent: ensuring, as the UK leaves the EU, we have the right relationship with European research programmes and with the wider world of science and research. The second is no less important - how we chart a path to an economy that invests more in science, research and innovation, and puts R&D at the heart of our economy.”

Regarding Brexit on March 29 Mr Skidmore said: “Participation in EU framework programmes is vital to UK researchers and innovative firms for a host of reasons. I acknowledge the importance to Britain’s labs and universities of researchers and staff from overseas, including from the EU.”