Launch of new policy paper: outlining a practical path to nuclear regulation

Dalton Nuclear Policy Group sets out practical path to safer, faster nuclear regulation. How can the UK deliver a radical change in nuclear operations without compromising on safety or security?

That's the question addressed in the latest position paper from The University of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Policy Group, which sets out practical opportunities for duty holders, regulators and government to build on the recommendations of the 2025 Nuclear Regulatory Task Force.

The paper, A radical reset: actionable opportunities from the UK nuclear regulatory review 2025, responds to a fundamental review of how the UK's nuclear sector is regulated. The review was launched by the UK government in 2025 as part of its plans to both expand nuclear energy generation and retain an effective nuclear deterrent, leading to the establishment of the Nuclear Regulatory Task Force.

The Task Force went on to publish a series of recommendations, aimed primarily at government but with some also directed towards industry. All of these were accepted in full by the government in early 2026 - however, little detail has been proposed to date on exactly how they might be implemented in practice.

The Dalton paper aims to fill that gap, putting forward a suite of practical opportunities which, if taken up, could deliver the more efficient and effective regulatory environment needed to underpin the UK's nuclear sector, without compromising on safety or security.

In developing the paper, the authors drew on input from within the Dalton Nuclear Institute's academic team - which includes individuals with extensive practical experience of policy, operations and regulation across the nuclear sector - as well as from a range of nuclear duty holders across both the civil and defence communities.

‘A once in a lifetime opportunity.’

Co-author Professor Francis Livens said the Task Force's review represented a rare chance to reshape the sector:

“

The Regulatory Task Force has indeed provided a once in a lifetime opportunity to rethink the way the UK 'does' nuclear. We have identified opportunities to speed operations up, improve safety and reduce costs, and would be very happy to support organisations across the sector in taking these.

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