Call for radical UK reset of nuclear regulation
The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce calls for a reset of 'overly complex' nuclear regulation.
The independent taskforce commissioned by the government claims regulation has contributed to the 'relative decline' in the UK’s global leadership position in nuclear.
Today’s report says a 'radical reset' is needed and outlines 47 recommendations for the government to speed up building new nuclear projects at a lower cost and on time.
The Taskforce’s recommendations include the following five root and branch propositions:
- Stronger political leadership, including the government providing a robust strategic direction for the civil and defence nuclear sectors
- Rstablishing a Commission for Nuclear Regulation to be a unified decisionmaker across all regulators, planners, and approval bodies
- Clarifying risk tolerability and proportionality, bringing Britain into line with the rest of the world
- Merging the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator into the Office for Nuclear Regulation
- Avoiding regulation that prioritises bureaucracy over safe outcomes – such as reforming environmental and planning regimes to enhance nature and deliver projects quicker
The taskforce assesses that reforms could result in:
- Faster delivery of reliable low-carbon power to electrify the economy and meet net zero commitments
- A quicker and cheaper renewal of the nuclear deterrent, including the Dreadnought programme and AUKUS submarines
- Savings of tens of billions from the current £150bln projected cost of decommissioning legacy nuclear activities
- Lower energy costs for consumers, industry and public services
- Medium-term boost to investment into the UK and economic growth and productivity
Recommendations include, establishing a ‘one-stop shop’ for nuclear decisions and streamlining regulation to remove duplication and improve proportionality to avoid what is seen as 'overly bureaucratic, costly processes while improving safety standards'.
The government point to recent nuclear projects having been expensive and behind schedule.
The full Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025 can be read online.
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