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Nuclear Energy: USA

Asked by Pippa HeylingsLiberal DemocratDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 20 October 2025UIN 79142

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy on the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (a) safety standards and (b) independence and impartiality.

Answered by Michael Shanks

The Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy builds on existing collaboration and will accelerate licensing and reactor design checks, provide certainty to industry and uphold safety standards, while making both the UK and US an attractive place to invest.

The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), the UKs independent regulator, will need to be satisfied that any design to be deployed in the UK meets UK safety standards and complies with UK law.

By working with the US the ONR will streamline processes, while continuing to maintain rigorous UK regulatory standards and its independent decision making.

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