The Civil Nuclear Police Authority (Borrowing Limit) (Amendment) Order 2025, effective September 18, 2025, amends the Energy Act 2004.
It raises the CNPA's borrowing limit from £10 million to £30 million, enabling the authority to adequately fund its responsibilities for protecting civil nuclear sites and materials in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The amendment was approved by the Treasury.
Arguments For
Increased borrowing limit allows the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA) to better fulfill its responsibilities in protecting civil nuclear sites and material.
The £20 million increase reflects the CNPA's evolving operational needs and potential future expenditures to maintain and enhance security.
This amendment ensures the CNPA has sufficient financial resources to address unforeseen circumstances and undertake necessary upgrades to its security protocols.
The amendment is supported by the Treasury, indicating a balanced assessment of financial responsibility and operational requirements.
Arguments Against
Increasing the borrowing limit could potentially expose taxpayers to greater financial risk given the lack of a detailed impact assessment.
The lack of a full impact assessment raises concerns regarding the transparency and accountability of the decision to increase the borrowing limit.
Alternative methods of financing CNPA operations, such as increased government funding or internal cost-cutting measures, should be explored to mitigate financial risks.
The increase might not be sustainable long-term, requiring future reviews to consider the ongoing cost-effectiveness of the CNPA and its borrowing needs.
- Citation, commencement and extent (1) This Order may be cited as the Civil Nuclear Police Authority (Borrowing Limit) (Amendment) Order 2025. (2) This Order comes into force on 18th September 2025. (3) This Order extends to England and Wales and Scotland.
This section outlines the Order's title, effective date, and geographical scope.
The Order is officially titled the 'Civil Nuclear Police Authority (Borrowing Limit) (Amendment) Order 2025', takes effect on September 18, 2025, and applies to England, Wales, and Scotland.
- Amendment to the Energy Act 2004 In paragraph 8(6) of Schedule 10 to the Energy Act 2004 (Police Authority’s borrowing limit), for “£10 million” substitute “£30 million”.
This section details the specific amendment made to the Energy Act 2004.
The Order replaces the existing £10 million borrowing limit for the Civil Nuclear Police Authority with a new limit of £30 million within paragraph 8(6) of Schedule 10.
Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Order) The Civil Nuclear Police Authority, established under section 51 of the Energy Act 2004 (c. 20), is responsible for the maintenance of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, the function of which is to protect licensed civil nuclear sites and nuclear material in transit in Great Britain and elsewhere. Under paragraph 8 of Schedule 10 to that Act, the Civil Nuclear Police Authority may borrow such sums in sterling as it may require for meeting its obligations and for carrying out its functions, subject to the limit set out in paragraph 8(6). This Order amends paragraph 8(6) to increase the borrowing limit from £10 million to £30 million. A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.
The explanatory note provides context.
It explains the Civil Nuclear Police Authority's role in protecting nuclear sites and material.
It clarifies that the Order increases the borrowing limit because the existing limit is insufficient.
Finally, it notes that a full impact assessment was deemed unnecessary due to the lack of anticipated significant impact on any sector.