The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that no changes are currently planned for the Chief of Defence Nuclear portfolio, despite wider organisational reforms underway across the department.
In response to a written question from Conservative MP James Cartlidge, Minister of State Maria Eagle stated: “There are no changes proposed to the Chief of Defence Nuclear portfolio at this time.”
She added that while the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) structures remain the same, the enterprise will “continue to work as an integrated enterprise as part of One Defence and use Defence Reform to strengthen the DNE’s collaboration across Defence.”
Cartlidge also sought updates on two major infrastructure initiatives tied to the UK’s nuclear weapons enterprise—the MENSA programme and the Future Materials Campus.
On the MENSA programme at AWE Burghfield, Eagle acknowledged significant hurdles but said the project is nearing a critical milestone. “The MENSA programme has presented several challenges which have resulted in cost growth and delays,” she said. “The programme is nearing the end of its construction and commissioning stage, which is reflected by the Amber rating in the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Annual Report 2023–24.”
Meanwhile, the Future Materials Campus at AWE Aldermaston is intended to modernise key nuclear material facilities. According to Eagle, “The Future Materials Campus consolidates the delivery of several complex infrastructure projects […] and will provide improved science and analysis capabilities, and invest in new capabilities for nuclear material recovery.” She confirmed that the programme “remains in an early phase of its delivery,” also carrying an Amber rating from the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
Both programmes form part of a broader push to sustain and modernise the UK’s nuclear deterrent capabilities, in line with the government’s integrated deterrence approach and long-term defence planning priorities.
