Overview

This bill ensures the UK maintains effective nuclear safeguards after leaving the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). It mandates the government to secure new international agreements and, if necessary, request a delay to the UK's withdrawal from Euratom to avoid a gap in safeguards.

Description

The bill addresses the UK's need for continued nuclear safeguards post-Brexit. The initial Lords amendment (Amendment 3) required the government to suspend UK withdrawal from Euratom if key agreements weren't in place by March 1, 2019. These agreements included: a new agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recognizing the UK's regulatory body; a voluntary offer agreement with the IAEA; and new bilateral agreements with countries the UK had nuclear cooperation agreements with under Euratom.

The Commons amendment (Amendment 3A) replaces the Lords amendment with a mechanism that requires the Secretary of State to request the continuation of existing Euratom arrangements from the European Council if new international safeguards agreements are not signed by the UK's exit date. The "principal international agreements" include bilateral agreements with the IAEA, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the USA. The Secretary of State is required to seek the continuation of Euratom’s arrangements until the new agreements are in place or alternative arrangements are made.

The bill defines "exit day" as per the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and clarifies that the “principal international agreements” encompass agreements or supplementary arrangements. The bill references the Nuclear Safeguards Act 2000 for definitions of the Safeguards Agreement and Additional Protocol.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify government spending. However, the costs associated with negotiating and implementing the new international agreements and any potential delay to Brexit will indirectly impact government finances.

Groups Affected

• The UK Government: Responsible for negotiating and implementing the new agreements, potentially facing costs and political implications.
• The Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR): Its role in nuclear safeguards will be affected by the new agreements.
• The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): A key partner in the new safeguards regime.
• Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States: Negotiating partners in new bilateral agreements.
• The Nuclear Industry in the UK: Affected by the continuity of safeguards.

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