General Atomics

Sellafield security improvements recognised by ONR

The UK's Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) has returned the Sellafield site to a routine regulatory regime for physical security after a period of enhanced oversight.



Image courtesy Sellafield

Inspectors cited a sustained period of improved performance, highlighting the close working relationship between ONR inspectors and Sellafield Ltd in achieving this outcome.

Physical security at Sellafield is delivered using a wide range of assets and capabilities and through an approach that includes defence in depth and armed response. A number of physical security assets and capabilities have been improved as part of the return to routine regulatory attention.

Regulatory attention levels are set by ONR and are assigned based on the regulator’s assessment of overall performance, considering a broad range of safety and security considerations and operational issues that a site is addressing.

Gary Wilkinson, head of security and resilience at Sellafield Ltd, said: "Following an action plan over many months, we have successfully met all the requirements set by ONR.

"This is a significant achievement and has been a big team effort from across the company – thank you to everyone involved in this important achievement."

Paul Dicks, ONR’s director of regulation for Sellafield, decommissioning fuel and waste, said: "We have worked closely with Sellafield Ltd through our enabling approach to ensure that the required improvements are delivered.

"I’m satisfied that Sellafield Ltd has demonstrated significant and sustained security improvements which has allowed us to return them to routine regulatory attention."

Sellafield Ltd currently remains in significantly enhanced attention for cyber security and collaborative work is ongoing to achieve the required improvements in this area.

Related

Micro Spring & Presswork achieves JOSCAR accreditation
3D printing
Micro Spring & Presswork achieves JOSCAR accreditation
Micro Spring & Presswork (MSP) has gained JOSCAR accreditation, a recognised supplier qualification system used throughout the defence, aerospace and security sectors.
Pilot fatigue raises fresh concerns over European aviation safety
Cockpit
Pilot fatigue raises fresh concerns over European aviation safety
A recent survey has found that 24% of European pilots usually continue flying rather than declare themselves unfit for duty due to fatigue.
Aerospace

28 Oct 2026

MAAS Aviation appoints Edwin Poldermans as Head of MRO
Edwin Poldermans
MAAS Aviation appoints Edwin Poldermans as Head of MRO
With over 30 years of aviation and aerospace experience, Edwin Poldermans has joined MAAS Aviation to help drive expansion of the MRO side of its aircraft painting service.
Aerospace Member News

27 Oct 2026

Royal Marines hone force protection skills in Exercise Jackal Dawn
Image: MOD Crown Copyright/Royal Navy
Royal Marines hone force protection skills in Exercise Jackal Dawn
Royal Marine Commandos have completed months of progressive training ahead of Exercise Jackal Dawn, validating their ability to protect forward helicopter refuelling operations.
Defence

28 Oct 2026

Micro Spring & Presswork achieves JOSCAR accreditation
3D printing
Micro Spring & Presswork achieves JOSCAR accreditation
Micro Spring & Presswork (MSP) has gained JOSCAR accreditation, a recognised supplier qualification system used throughout the defence, aerospace and security sectors.
UK Budget 2026: Government confirms full funding for Defence Investment Plan and sets 2030 target for 3% defence spending
Houses of Parliament
UK Budget 2026: Government confirms full funding for Defence Investment Plan and sets 2030 target for 3% defence spending
Chancellor John Healey has confirmed full funding for the Defence Investment Plan and pledged to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, while ADS warns the sector cannot afford further delays to long-term spending decisions.
Defence

28 Oct 2026

Airbus awarded contract for additional Galileo satellites
Airbus G2 satellites
Airbus awarded contract for additional Galileo satellites
The additional Galileo satellites will benefit from existing Airbus manufacturing capabilities and feature advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing to safeguard Galileo’s signals, extending Europe's independent satellite navigation services for European security and defence.
UK space start-up completes cancer drug experiment aboard ISS after £9.8m funding boost
UK start-up space mission aims to transform cancer therapies
UK space start-up completes cancer drug experiment aboard ISS after £9.8m funding boost
UK start-up BioOrbit has completed a six-week ISS experiment to produce protein crystals that could make some cancer treatments suitable for home injections.
Space Test

28 Oct 2026

ClearSpace and Eutelsat sign term sheet to advance Phoenix GEO life-extension services
Artificial rendering of Phoenix approaching a client satellite.
ClearSpace and Eutelsat sign term sheet to advance Phoenix GEO life-extension services
A new agreement between ClearSpace and Eutelsat has established a framework for cooperation on the Phoenix mission and future commercial life-extension services, bringing satellite operator expertise into the development of next-gen in-orbit servicing capabilities.
Member News Space

22 Oct 2026

UK Budget 2026: British AI security boosted by new data centre plans and £700m package
Artificial Intelligence AI Processor Chip on Futuristic Circuit Board with Digital Data Network
UK Budget 2026: British AI security boosted by new data centre plans and £700m package
The UK government’s 2026 Budget combines priority electrical grid access for critical data centres with £700m in AI investment to strengthen cyber security and sovereignty.
Security

28 Oct 2026

Deloitte awarded £30m Lead Delivery Partner contract to support PoliceAI
National Police Chiefs Council photo of police on duty
Deloitte awarded £30m Lead Delivery Partner contract to support PoliceAI
As Lead Delivery Partner for PoliceAI, Deloitte will be responsible for delivery of artificial intelligence solutions for police forces across England and Wales.
Member News Security

28 Oct 2026

Airbus awarded contract for additional Galileo satellites
Airbus G2 satellites
Airbus awarded contract for additional Galileo satellites
The additional Galileo satellites will benefit from existing Airbus manufacturing capabilities and feature advanced anti-jamming and anti-spoofing to safeguard Galileo’s signals, extending Europe's independent satellite navigation services for European security and defence.