It is a pleasure to serve in this debate, and I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bassetlaw (Jo White) for securing today's important debate on fusion energy. The UK has been at the forefront of fusion energy research and development for over four decades, with significant achievements such as the Joint European Torus reactor. Fusion creates nearly 4 million times more energy per kilogram of fuel compared to burning coal, oil or gas, offering substantial economic benefits including thousands of jobs and potential breakthroughs in medicine, supercomputing, and other green technologies. The Government aims to attract global private investment with a national policy statement for fusion facilities, estimating the market value between £3 trillion and £12 trillion by 2050-2100. The STEP programme will build the world's first civil fusion power plant in Ratcliffe-on-Soar, aiming for completion by 2040 to demonstrate viability. This project will support thousands of jobs directly and in supply chains while fostering skills development through partnerships with private industry and outreach programmes to schools and universities. Despite challenges ahead, the UK's four decades of research provide a strong foundation for future success.