The UK Government has established a Nuclear Regulatory Task Force to examine the regulatory approach to civil and defence projects. The Task Force is required to explore how the regulation of safety, environmental, planning, and other relevant areas can be improved, with the aim of supporting energy security, national security, and economic growth in the UK.

With the Government having set a clear strategic direction for the UK to expand its deployment of nuclear power in support of energy security and its Climate Change commitments to limit CO₂ production, it is now seeking to ensure that its regulatory processes are efficient and proportionate to the nuclear risks.

The Task Force has started its work and has engaged with UK licensees and authorisees, together with operators, industry experts, academia, developers, investors, and groups from wider civil society. 

The Task Force has published an interim report which identifies several areas where it will make recommendations for change.  Of specific relevance to TSOs is that it addresses the reliance of some UK regulators on external consultants without specifically referring to them as Technical Safety Organisations (TSO), although this is what is meant.  The Task Force is planning further consultations with a wide variety of stakeholders to support definition of recommendations. Amentum’s Regulatory Support Directorate will be indirectly involved in these consultations through its regulatory interfaces.

For more information: Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce Interim Report, 2025