Guidance

Nuclear Research Advisory Council

Updated 11 November 2024

The Nuclear Research Advisory Council is a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) that reviews the UK’s nuclear warhead research and capability maintenance programme, including the requirement for above ground experiments and other facilities and techniques necessary to design, manufacture, sustain and operate a UK nuclear weapon capability in the absence of underground testing. It also examines the UK’s programme of international collaboration. The Council reports to the department through the Director General Nuclear Warhead Director and continuous at sea deterrent (pending current changes to the continuous at sea deterrent role) to advise on whether the nuclear warhead programme is fit for purpose and being implemented appropriately. The council is sponsored by Director General Nuclear through the NDPB budget and is operated through the Secretariat who provides the departmental interface. Members typically work up to approximately 15 days each per year, depending upon the council’s work programme and within the constraints of the budget.

These appointments attract a daily fee of £380, in addition to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses. The names of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council are not released to the public domain for security reasons.

All appointments and re-appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

2022

October

The Secretary of State for Defence has reappointed one member of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a second term of five years from 5 September 2022 to 4 September 2027.

September

The Secretary of State for Defence has reappointed two members of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a second term of five years from 14 August 2022 to 13 August 2027.

August

The Secretary of State for Defence has appointed a new member of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a period of three years from July 2022 until July 2025.

2021

November

Three new members have been appointed to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a period of 3 years from 4th October 2021 to 3rd October 2024.

April

The secretary of state for defence has extended two members of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a further 6 months from 21 April 2021 to 20 October 2021.

One member has been extended for a further year from 19 January 2021 to 18 January 2022.

2020

February

An appointment to Chair to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council has been made for a period of 5 ears starting on 19 February 2020 and ending 18 February 2025. The position of Chair attracts a daily fee of £465, in addition to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses. The names of the members of the Nuclear Research Advisory council are not released to the public domain for security reasons.

2019

August

Three new members were appointed to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council for a period of 3 years from 15 August 2019 to 14 August 2022.

January

The Chair of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council has been re-appointed from 15 January 2019 for a further year. The position of Chair attracts a daily fee of £465, in addition to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.

2018

January

The Chair of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council has been re-appointed from 16 January 2018 for a further year. The position of Chair attracts a daily fee of £465, in addition to reasonable travel and subsistence expenses.

2 individuals have been re-appointed as members from 19 January 2018 for 3 years.

2017

March

3 individuals have been re-appointed from 22 April 2017 for 3 years until 21 April 2020. The names of the Nuclear Research Advisory Council are not released to the public domain for security reasons.

2015

January

3 new members have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Defence to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council. All candidates take up post for an initial term of 3 years ending in January 2018.

2014

April

3 new members have been appointed by the Secretary of State for Defence to the Nuclear Research Advisory Council. All candidates take up post for an initial term of 3 years ending in April 2017.