Key facts
- Britain should not feel "locked into" pre-Brexit EU environmental rules for nuclear power development, according to John Fingleton.
- Fingleton warned against "risk aversion" in Whitehall slowing down new nuclear projects.
- He advised the UK to seek flexibility in environmental compliance comparable to EU member states.
- The Labour government has committed to bringing forward new nuclear projects like Sizewell C.
- Fingleton's review recommended a "radical reset" of UK nuclear regulations.
- He suggested that reformed regulations could improve environmental outcomes and reduce costs.
Britain should not feel "locked into" pre-Brexit EU environmental rules as it seeks to accelerate its nuclear power expansion, according to John Fingleton, an adviser who authored a government review on nuclear red tape. Fingleton warned that "risk aversion" within Whitehall could hinder efforts to boost domestic nuclear capacity.
In an interview with POLITICO, Fingleton stated that "people in the system legally think we’re locked into EU regulation circa 2022 when we left [the EU]," but that EU member states have considerable flexibility within the EU framework. He argued that the U.K. should not accept less flexibility in its discussions with the European Union.
The Labour government, which entered office in July 2024, has pledged to usher in a "golden age of nuclear," approving Sizewell C and Rolls-Royce's small modular reactors. However, the U.K. faces the closure of four of its five existing nuclear power stations by 2030. Hinkley Point C is set to be the first new nuclear power station built since Sizewell B in 1995.
Fingleton's 2025 review urged ministers to implement a "radical reset" of U.K. nuclear regulations, including eliminating duplication in environmental laws. While the U.K. and EU are negotiating a post-Brexit "reset" of relations, including dynamic alignment across electricity markets, discussions have not yet encompassed nuclear policy or environmental protections.
Fingleton stressed that the U.K. should not adopt more stringent interpretations of environmental regulations than its EU counterparts, citing EDF's potential £700 million payout for marine life protection at Hinkley Point C. He suggested that reformed nuclear frameworks could allow for more cost-effective environmental measures with better outcomes.
Regarding legislative timelines, Fingleton advised Prime Minister Andy Burnham's ministers to prioritize accuracy over speed, suggesting they take extra months if needed to get the legislation right. This contrasts with former Prime Minister Keir Starmer's commitment to implementing all recommendations by the end of 2027, subject to legislative timelines.