May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The Nuclear Safeguards Act 2018 created a UK framework for safeguarding nuclear materials and activities after leaving Euratom. It defines what counts as civil, peaceful nuclear work, sets out regulation and reporting requirements, and lays out transition paths and potential alignment with Euratom/IAEA as the UK moves away from Euratom. The bill prompted debates about how long the safeguards regime should last, how closely the UK should stay aligned with Euratom, and how to protect the nuclear workforce during the transition.
Key Points
Defines what counts as 'civil activities' for the purposes of nuclear safeguards, including production, processing, storage, electricity generation, decommissioning, and peaceful R&D.
Creates a UK regulatory framework for nuclear safeguards and imposes reporting duties on the Secretary of State, including information about international arrangements with Euratom and the IAEA, with consultation requirements involving the ONR, National Audit Office, and others.
Sets a time limit on the regulations made under the Act, with a 5-year horizon (sunset) for the safeguarding powers; Labour proposed a shorter 2-year sunset, but the government’s approach was the one that moved forward.
Contains provisions aimed at ensuring a transition from Euratom, including clauses about agreements before withdrawal and potential transition arrangements, to avoid gaps in safeguards when the UK leaves Euratom.
Explores ideas to protect the nuclear workforce and access to expertise after withdrawal (e.g., “freedom of employment for specialists”), and debates about whether the UK should seek associate membership of Euratom or maintain close alignment; several such amendments were proposed and debated but not all moved forward.
Includes discussion of strengthening oversight and planning, such as potential independent review of the Act, and requirements around information technology systems for safeguards; some committee-stage amendments sought to restructure the ONR or require deeper consultation.
Progress
The bill progressed through both Houses with Lords amendments and Commons consideration. The Commons voted to disagree with some Lords amendments and rejected others, and the bill ultimately received Royal Assent on 26 June 2018.
Voting
Three recorded votes during the bill’s passage show cross-party engagement: the Commons voted to disagree with a Lords amendment, and defeated two Lords amendments on Report Stage. Party groups acted with mixed unity on specific amendments, with Labour and Liberal Democrats pushing for safeguards-focused changes, while Conservative MPs did not support all Lords’ proposals.
Who is affected?
Nuclear industry operators and suppliersOffice for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and other regulatorsNuclear researchers, engineers and workforceUK government and ParliamentInternational partners such as Euratom and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)Decommissioning organisations and facilities handling nuclear materialsThe broader public served by nuclear safety and safeguards
Generated 21 February 2026
Bill Stages
1st readingCommons
11 Oct 2017
2nd readingCommons
16 Oct 2017
Programme motionCommons
16 Oct 2017
Money resolutionCommons
16 Oct 2017
Committee stageCommons
31 Oct 2017, 2 Nov 2017, 14 Nov 2017
Report stageCommons
23 Jan 2018
3rd readingCommons
23 Jan 2018
1st readingLords
24 Jan 2018
2nd readingLords
7 Feb 2018
Committee stageLords
22 Feb 2018, 1 Mar 2018
Report stageLords
20 Mar 2018
3rd readingLords
27 Mar 2018
Consideration of Lords amendmentsCommons
8 May 2018
Programme motionCommons
8 May 2018
Consideration of Commons amendments and / or reasonsLords
6 Jun 2018
Royal AssentUnassigned
26 Jun 2018
Royal Assent
Amendments (31)
13 not moved10 withdrawn8 agreed
Showing agreed, defeated, and withdrawn amendments.
