Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to update the regulatory provisions governing nuclear waste in light of recent natural science evidence concerning the health effects of low-ionizing radiation.

Regulatory provisions for radioactive substances activities, including the accumulation and management of radioactive waste, are contained in Schedule 23 of the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016.

On 5 October the government published draft updates to Schedule 23 in “Consultation on Revised requirements for radiological protection: regulation of public exposures and the justification of practices”. The proposals are based on current scientific evidence, as reflected in the latest safety standards issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the requirements of the corresponding Euratom Basic Safety Standards Directive, which enters into force in 2018.

The public consultation closed on 15 November. Once the consultation responses have been considered, and subject to parliamentary timetables, updated regulations will be laid before this House in 2018.