Overview

This bill ensures the UK maintains effective nuclear safeguards after leaving the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). It mandates the government to negotiate agreements with international bodies and countries to replace the safeguards currently provided by Euratom, preventing a gap in nuclear safety regulations.

Description

The bill focuses on securing agreements for the continued application of nuclear safeguards following the UK's withdrawal from Euratom. Initially, the Lords proposed a clause requiring suspension of Brexit if necessary agreements weren't in place by March 1st, 2019. The Commons replaced this with a clause requiring the Secretary of State to request the continuation of existing Euratom arrangements if new international agreements aren't finalized before Brexit. These crucial new agreements include those with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and other countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan, to maintain similar nuclear oversight.

The Commons Amendment (3A) specifies that these agreements, referred to as "principal international agreements", are:

• Agreements between the UK and the IAEA.
• Agreements between the UK and Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States.

If these agreements aren't signed by Brexit day, the Secretary of State must request the continuation of equivalent existing Euratom arrangements until new ones are in place. The bill also defines "signed" as both parties having signed the agreement and clarifies terminology related to the Nuclear Safeguards Act 2000 and the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. However, it necessitates costs associated with negotiating and implementing new international agreements on nuclear safeguards, as well as potential costs related to maintaining existing arrangements temporarily.

Groups Affected

• UK Government: Responsible for negotiating and implementing new agreements, facing potential costs and administrative burden.
• Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR): Will need to adjust its operations to reflect new international agreements.
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Plays a key role in the new safeguards regime.
• Nuclear power plants and related industries in the UK: Subject to new oversight arrangements post-Brexit.
• Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States: Involved in bilateral agreements with the UK on nuclear safeguards.

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