Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted
Sellafield believes its safety reporting processes are robust and effective.
Conclusion
Sellafield Ltd told us that it believed it does have a robust process for reporting safety issues as this is one of the conditions of its nuclear site licence. It pointed to the “green rating” it had received the last time the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) had reviewed its compliance with this licence condition. It also considered that the sheer number of reports raised each week about potential safety issues reflected a good reporting culture.86 The NDA referred to the different channels people can use to raise concerns – including informal discussions before work starts, as well as the group–wide ‘Safecall’ anonymous phone service.87 It also told us that it has started tracking whether respondents to its group–wide staff survey are confident that they would not face retaliation should they raise concerns.88
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to publish an annual 'People' report by October 2026, which will contain staff survey results, Speak Up data, and other information to assess corporate culture.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: October 2026 The NDA is committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and high-performing workplace where people can thrive. It has taken decisive steps to foster an open and respectful culture including strengthening the Speak Up policy (which includes whistleblowing). Improvements are reflected in recent staff survey results. Although the NDA is encouraged by this progress, it remains vigilant and continues working to ensure all employees feel respected and confident in raising concerns, and that these are addressed appropriately. While the publication of staff survey results without appropriate context can lead to misinterpretation, the NDA is keen to provide a more contextualised view of cultural progress. As such, the NDA will publish an annual “People” report containing information about staff survey results (including scores, narrative, trends), Speak Up data (including rates of reporting, types of matter raised, outcomes), and other matters which help assess the health of its corporate culture. Its approach to breaking down results by Operating Company and demographic will, of course, need to be guided by confidentiality of individuals, following best practice. It will consider potential inclusion of appropriate benchmarking. Nuclear safety is paramount, and rigorous standards are upheld to protect the workforce, the public, and the environment. The NDA is confident in the strength of internal safety metrics and reporting mechanisms which are underpinned by independent assurance from regulators. Regular group wide reviews of safety culture are carried out using verified external methodologies to test workforce attitudes and beliefs around reporting of events. The NDA will include relevant data in the “People” report.