Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas
Territories (): Today the Government is
publishing the United Kingdom's updated National Report under the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The
report reviews the UK's progress against the Treaty's three
mutually reinforcing pillars—disarmament,
non-proliferation, and the peaceful uses of nuclear
energy — and demonstrates our commitment to fulfil our
obligations under the Treaty.
The UK's enduring commitment to the NPT
The UK was an original signatory of, and remains committed to,
the NPT. We reaffirm our obligations under the Treaty, including
our undertaking—shared by the other NPT Nuclear Weapon States—to
pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating
to nuclear disarmament, consistent with the maintenance of
international peace and security, always guided by the UK's
national interests and defence and security.
A more contested and volatile world
Russia's aggression, strategic competition among major powers,
advances in disruptive technologies, and challenges to the
multilateral system have sharpened nuclear risks and made
deterrence, defence, and resilience ever more important for our
national security. The 2025 Strategic
Defence Review and the National Security Strategy
provided a comprehensive review of the strategic environment and
the adaptations the UK must make to safeguard our national
security.
Disarmament, transparency and risk reduction
The UK remains committed to the ultimate, long term goal of
multilateral disarmament, which we believe can best be achieved
by a step-by-step, verifiable approach to
disarmament consistent with the global security environment. This
includes practical work on nuclear disarmament
verification, risk reduction, and
transparency where it supports stability.
Nuclear deterrence will remain the bedrock of our national
security as we are confronted by more serious and less
predictable threats.
Non-proliferation and safeguards
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
has a more important role than ever to ensure states can take
advantage of the benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear
technology and prevent its misuse. This balance is delivered by
adherence to the IAEA's system of Comprehensive Safeguards
Agreements and the Additional Protocol, strengthened export
controls and assistance to enhance the security of
nuclear materials worldwide.
Peaceful uses and nuclear responsibility
The UK will continue to advance the peaceful
applications of nuclear science and technology - in
medicine, agriculture,
food security, climate change
mitigation, adaptation and civil nuclear power -
consistent with the NPT and in close cooperation with the IAEA
and international partners. Access to the peaceful uses of
nuclear technologies is a benefit that should be afforded
sufficient importance, attention and resource.
Conclusion
The Government will work constructively with all NPT States
parties ahead of the next NPT Review Conference to ensure
the Treaty endures as the irreplaceable foundation of
the global nuclear order - reinforcing non-proliferation,
enabling the responsible, peaceful uses of nuclear technology for
the benefit of all and supporting disarmament progress where
conditions allow. The UK National Report is available on GOV.UK,
and a copy will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
