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Machinery of Government

Written ministerial statementMade by Sir Keir StarmerPrime MinisterPrime MinisterHCWS180

I am making this statement to bring to the House’s attention the following Machinery of Government change.

As part of the reforms the Government is making to nuclear regulation, I am today announcing that responsibility for the Office for Nuclear Regulation will transfer from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). As the lead department for civil nuclear policy, DESNZ will be best placed to ensure that nuclear regulation is proportionate and suited to deliver the UK’s long term nuclear ambitions, supporting the Government’s broader response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025. The ONR’s statutory independence will be unaffected by this change.

This change will take effect from 1 August 2026.

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