For the fourth year running, more than 90% of participants in our annual stakeholder survey are confident the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) is ‘protecting society by securing safe nuclear operations’.
This year's survey also concludes that 80% of stakeholders from nuclear sites think the regulator operates consistently in its operations - up from 65% in 2023 - with those at defence and decommissioning, fuel and waste facilities the most likely to agree.
The survey this year includes a focus on innovation and artificial intelligence within the nuclear industry, along with the more longstanding survey themes of proportionality and performance delivery.
More than half the stakeholders surveyed (52%) had previously contacted ONR about innovation. Of these, more than two-thirds (68%) agreed our approach had enabled the adoption of innovation across the industry.
The survey also reported that 82% of stakeholders are aware of ONR’s regulatory advice on innovation, and 80% of those making related enquiries think ONR would be supportive of innovative technologies.
However, less than half (41%) are aware of ONR’s formal engagements to support innovation.
The survey showed the industry use of artificial intelligence remains limited, although 70% of stakeholders believe it is a tool that will become relevant to the sector as it develops.
For proportionality, ‘ONR is seen to be generally proportionate and considerate in their regulation and enforcement’, although some felt that ‘ONR could work further on balancing risk to be more proportionate in their response to particular enforcement actions or regulations.’
One survey contributor, from a decommissioning site, said: "They've [ONR] always been very positive and supportive so I think in terms of improvement I wouldn't really be able to comment but certainly in terms continuing what they're doing, I'm certainly a big advocate of that.”
Another, from an operating civil reactor site, said: "The only thing we could do better at is the ONR using their breadth of vision to give us any insights from around the nuclear industry."
Rachel Grant, ONR’s Strategy and Corporate Affairs Director, said: “These are positive results, and I’m delighted that more than 90% of participants have expressed confidence in ONR delivering its mission.
“This is a strong endorsement of our work to ensure the nuclear industry achieves the necessary standards of safety and security for workers and the public.
"The encouraging results around perceptions of proportionality and consistency demonstrate our ongoing work as an enabling regulator.
“However, we're not complacent and recognise the value of ongoing improvement and the areas that require ongoing focus.
“Constructive stakeholder feedback is important to us and I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the survey and took the time to share their views.”
Tom Eagleton, ONR’s Head of Innovation, added: “The survey has provided valuable insight into how stakeholders view our approach to innovation.
“We are open to innovation, and through our enabling approach, are keen to support the industry in adopting innovation if it is safe and secure to do so. So, if you’ve got any novel and new ideas, please do come and speak to us.
“I’d like to thank all those who took the time to respond to the survey. The feedback received has been extremely useful in helping us to target our future engagement activities and in the development of our updated innovation strategy.”
This year’s survey was conducted by Savanta, a specialist independent research company who issued online questions to stakeholders employed at either licensed nuclear sites, authorised defence sites or other dutyholder organisations. More than 150 responses were received.
Savanta also conducted 15 in-depth interviews to explore certain issues in more detail.
If you have any comments or feedback that you’d like to share with ONR, you can email us at contact@onr.gov.uk