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Working with government

We are an independent public corporation established under the Energy Act 2013, responsible for regulating nuclear safety, nuclear site health and safety, security, safeguards and the transport of radioactive material in Great Britain.

ONR is now sponsored by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), having previously been sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions. This took effect from 1 August, 2026.

As well as its policy responsibilities for our five purposes, mentioned above, DESNZ has taken on extra functions including administering grant funding and making Board-level appointments. ONR retains sole statutory authority for regulatory decisions.

We work with the Ministry of Defence to maintain safe delivery of the UK's defence nuclear capability.

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