PHYSICIST and entrepreneur Dr David Kingham talked fusion energy technology with cabinet minister Penny Mordaunt this week.

The chief executive of Tokamak showed the Minister for Local Growth around his firm’s Milton Park base, when she visited Oxford’s Science Vale enterprise zone on Tuesday.

Tokamak, which uses advanced technology to make green electricity, employs nine people but plans to take on 11 more during the next two years.

Dr Kingham said: “The minister was interested in what we are doing and impressed there is so much going on here with new technologies.

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“The thing about the enterprise zone is that it has this really interesting and unique mixture of world class technology and facilities.”

Ms Mordaunt hailed Science Vale as a success story and said 16,000 jobs during the next 15 years will be created by the enterprise zone.

Milton Park and Harwell science, innovation and business campus are home to 360 high-tech firms.

They have access to top facilities such as giant microscope, Diamond Light Synchrotron, Rutherford Appleton lab and Culham centre for fusion energy.

And they are also close to the Science and Technology Facilities Council, European Space Agency, Medical Research Council and Satellite Applications Catapult.

Other successful bioscience firms based in the zone include Oxford Immunotec, which has developed technology to measure how T-cells, respond to certain diseases such as TB and Immunocore, which develops cancer treatments.

Science Vale Oxford is one of 24 enterprise zones launched by the government in 2012, as part of efforts to boost science and technology in the UK.

Ms Mordaunt said: “Science Vale is a success story and is building a deservedly world-class reputation as a centre of excellence for science and technology. The zone continues to attract some of the biggest names in the business, as well as small innovators to this part of the world. That is why we have spent millions in developing these sites and it’s great to see where that money is going first hand.”

In January, the government announced a £7m cash injection for Oxford’s site, which will fund an extra 40,000 sq ft of laboratory space for bioscience firms. Philip Campbell, head of leasing and development at Milton Park, said: “It was a really good visit.

“We told her about Milton Park and took her to see Tokamak, which is a great example of the ground-breaking innovation that is happening here and she spent a good amount of time with Dr Kingham.”

Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron said: “Our long-term economic plan is delivering jobs and growth to all parts of the country, including right here in Oxford, where the local enterprise zone has already created 760 jobs.

“And with more in the pipeline this shows that trusting local businesses and people to get on and make the right decisions about business and enterprise in their area – together with a government that is backing business and investing in infrastructure – works.”

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