<p>The Government's position on long term plutonium management was set out in our December 2011 consultation response. Our preferred option is to convert the plutonium into MOX fuel for use in new nuclear build reactors. Under this option, long term plutonium management is dependent on the progress of new nuclear build and therefore on future commercial negotiations with new build operators. There will be many steps to go through before we reach the point of being able to take a final decision and say how our plutonium will be managed. Only when the Government is confident that its preferred option can be implemented</p><p><?notus-xml column=63?></p><p>safely and securely, and that it is affordable, deliverable, and offers value for money, will it be in a position to proceed.</p>