Establish a lead regulator model with ONR as default lead regulator

ONR held the inaugural lead regulator meeting in London with the heads of the Environment Agency, Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator, and other relevant regulators. Terms of reference were discussed. ONR Chief Executive Mike Finnerty described it as "a powerful signal of what is possible when we work collectively with shared purpose." ONR cited the Sellafield G6 group as a precedent for successful multi-regulator collaboration. This is an interim arrangement pending the UK Nuclear Commission, which is targeted to be fully operational by summer 2028.

The Government has already taken steps to implement this recommendation. ONR has written to other regulators to form a "super six" grouping of key nuclear regulators. The lead regulator model will be in place by 31 March 2026, meeting the original target date. The approach will cover both civil and defence sites on a site-based basis, which goes beyond the original scope. This is one of the most advanced recommendations in terms of delivery.