Taskforce calls once-in-a-generation nuclear reform

The independent Nuclear Taskforce, led by John Fingleton, published an interim report (11 August) calling for a once-in-a-generation radical reset to remove regulatory barriers slowing UK nuclear projects.

• Interim report published (11 August): The Nuclear Taskforce (led by John Fingleton, former CEO of the Office of Fair Trading) finds an “unnecessarily slow, inefficient and costly” regulatory system and calls for a “once-in-a-generation” reform; the taskforce has invited views from interested parties and will publish a final report and recommendations in the autumn.
• Government actions and timelines: The government will work with the taskforce to develop a new strategic direction for nuclear operators and regulators; the Chancellor earlier announced action to reduce the administrative cost of regulation by 25%; projects referenced to come online in the 2030s include small modular reactors and Sizewell C, combined with Hinkley Point C to deliver substantial new nuclear capacity.