ON her penultimate day in office, former Prime Minister Theresa May sent a letter to Wantage and Didcot MP Ed Vaizey, praising the Space Cluster at the Harwell Campus.

Closing her letter, she said: "I am sure that Harwell will continue to play an important part in the continued development of the space industry in the United Kingdom."

In responding to her letter, Mr Vaizey said: "I am delighted that the Prime Minister recognised the significance of Harwell as a world leading site for research and development, especially in the Space Sector.

"As BEIS and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority complete their review of Harwell’s business case I will continue to press the Government for action to unlock potential at this important international resource.

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"I hope the new Government, in particular Andrea Leadsom, the new Secretary of State at BEIS, will continue to support me in championing Harwell’s growth and development."

Oxford Mail:

The outgoing PM also made clear the Government’s commitment to backing business and making investment in skills and infrastructure at sites such as Harwell, as well as providing an update on the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) progress in unlocking further significant investment in the site.

Angus Horner, director at Harwell Campus said: "Harwell and its people are extremely grateful to the former Prime Minister and her predecessors, who have consistently backed our world leading science and innovation.

"Harwell’s Space Cluster is the envy of other countries and its organisations continue to generate UK prosperity plus contribute globally and collaboratively, as we all strive to improve the Human Condition.

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"We are similarly pleased that our new Prime Minister’s first speech confirmed the vital importance of the UK Space Sector - and we will continue to play our part for the benefit of UK Plc and future generations."