The UK’s nuclear regulatory regime is highly effective at ensuring safety and is regarded as world-leading in many respects, particularly its goal-based approach, regulatory expertise, transparency, stakeholder engagement, and active international collaboration.
However, primary challenges include the following areas: 1. unnecessary slowness, inefficiency, and cost, 2. risk management & proportionality, 3. complexity of regulatory & planning landscape, 4. enabling delivery in the planning regime, 5. capacity, capability & culture, 6. international harmonisation, 7. insufficient understanding of the cost of delays.
- Feedback highlights systemic delays, bureaucratic overlap, and escalating costs that rarely provide meaningful safety or environmental benefits
- Interpretation of the ALARP (“As Low as Reasonably Practicable”) principle fosters a risk-averse culture and excessive conservatism. Similar issues exist in environmental assessments
- The multiplicity of regulators and overlapping obligations create costly duplication, inconsistent interpretations, and unpredictable outcomes.
- The current NSIP planning regime and related regulations are outdated, particularly in their treatment of emerging technologies like SMRs and AMRs. They lack flexibility and fleet-mode efficiency.
- There is a shortfall of SQEP (Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel), along with ageing workforce, over-reliance on consultants, salary challenges, and risk-averse organisational cultures
- Lack of alignment with international regulatory frameworks causes unnecessary costs and duplicative approval processes. The Taskforce plans to explore opportunities for recognition of overseas approvals.
- Regulatory decisions often overlook the significant financial and opportunity costs of delayed projects, leading to an imbalance between safety measures and project viability.
Next Steps and Priorities.
Strategic Government Direction – Ministers should provide clear strategic guidance to regulators and operators to ensure delivery is safe, efficient, and cost effective.
Consultation & Evidence Gathering – The Taskforce is holding engagement sessions and workshops to gather input on potential policy adjustments.
International Benchmarking – A detailed comparison with overseas systems will help identify where harmonisation could yield benefits.
Economic Impact Analysis – The costs and benefits of changes will be quantified to support the case for reform.
The interim report acknowledges a strong foundation in the UK’s nuclear regulation but calls for a once-in-a-generation reset across six core reform areas aimed at delivering faster, more cost effective, and scalable nuclear projects without compromising safety.
To view the full report; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nuclear-regulatory-taskforce/nuclear-regulatory-taskforce-interim-report
24/11/25 release; https://www.gov.uk/government/news/taskforce-calls-for-radical-reset-of-nuclear-regulation-in-uk
Picture: gov.uk