UKAEA Group is committed to protecting our research, information, systems and services from cyber threats. 

As part of our ongoing cyber maturity journey, UKAEA Group has achieved Cyber Essentials certification, demonstrating that we have key technical controls in place to protect against the most common cyber threats.  Cyber resilience is not just about technology. It is about ensuring UKAEA Group can continue to operate effectively, protect what matters and maintain the trust of our partners, stakeholders and suppliers. 

What is Cyber Essentials?

Cyber Essentials is a UK Government-backed certification scheme designed to help organisations protect themselves against the most common cyber threats. 

Certification demonstrates that UKAEA Group has implemented a set of fundamental technical security controls and has been independently assessed against the scheme's requirements. 

Why it Matters

Cyber Essentials helps organisations: 

• Protect against common cyber-attacks. 

• Reduce cyber risk. 

• Demonstrate good cyber security practices. 

• Build confidence with customers, partners and suppliers. 

• Strengthen supply chain security. 

Our Cyber Essentials certification demonstrates that UKAEA Group meets recognised cyber security standards and is committed to protecting its systems and information. 

Why has UKAEA achieved Cyber Essentials Certification?

Cyber Essentials supports UKAEA Group by helping us: 

• Protect our research, information and systems. 

• Reduce exposure to common cyber threats. 

• Strengthen cyber resilience across the organisation. 

• Demonstrate our commitment to good cyber security practices. 

• Build confidence among stakeholders, partners and suppliers. 

• Support secure ways of working across UKAEA Group. 

Cyber Essentials forms an important part of our wider approach to cyber security and resilience. 

What does this mean for suppliers?

UKAEA Group continues to strengthen cyber security considerations within procurement and supplier management processes. 

Depending on the nature of the goods or services being procured, suppliers may be asked to: 

• Hold Cyber Essentials certification. 

• Demonstrate appropriate cyber security controls. 

• Complete supplier assurance activities. 

• Provide evidence of their security arrangements. 

UKAEA has long considered cyber security requirements within supplier and procurement processes, including the use of Cyber Essentials where appropriate. Achieving Cyber Essentials certification ourselves further demonstrates our commitment to the standards we expect across our wider supply chain. 

Cyber resilience is everyone's responsibility

Achieving Cyber Essentials certification is an important milestone, but cyber resilience is an ongoing commitment. 

Every action we take helps protect UKAEA Group's research, systems, data and reputation. Together, we can continue building a secure and resilient organisation. 

We can all protect what matters.

The social value model for central government departments and non-governmental public bodies, such as UKAEA, will change on 1st January 2027.

This change to the social value framework will be part of the new mandatory assessment for awarding contracts over £1m (including VAT) under the new Procurement Act.

The model is designed to ensure that public spending delivers tangible benefits to local communities through good jobs, skills development, and workforce progression opportunities. Government wants public procurement expenditure to support British businesses, boost growth, and create investments in our communities through the creation of good British jobs and opportunities across the UK.

From 1st January, UKAEA will use the new Social Value model for all contracts that have a value where Social Value must be part of the award criterion. In scope, contracts will have a social value criterion of:

·        A minimum of 10% for contracts less than £5m

·        A minimum of 20% for contracts of £5m and over.

All new contracts below £1m but over the UK public procurement threshold of £207,720 (including VAT) will continue to include a requirement to provide a social value outcome under the current social value frameworkng with a minimum of 10% used as part of the award criterion.

The New Social Value Model

The new model is structured on delivering two outcomes.

Outcome 1: Good Jobs - good employment opportunities across all post codes. This objective focuses on promoting economic security, innovation, and good jobs in support of the Government's economic growth objectives and the Government's plan, Making Work Pay. The Social Value award criterion will include:

·        The creation and or retention of high-quality jobs

·        Fair working conditions

·        Fair Pay

Outcome 2: Skills - learning and development activities to address skills needed and shortages such as apprentices and work placements. This objective focuses on a requirement through the identification of skills gaps to develop skills in support of the Government's Labour Market and Skills Strategies. The Social Value award criterion will include:

·        Training and re training

·        In work progression

·        Talent Pipeline

Details of the new Social Value Model is set out here and includes details of how the new model will be assessed.

All Social Value commitments agreed as part of an award of contract will be reported, and delivery monitored through our Thrive system. Contracts of £5m or more will include one of the Social Value commitments as a KPI. This will be published as part of the Supplier's Annual Performance report on the Central Digital Platform.

If you have any questions, please contact supplychain@ukaea.uk.

UKAEA Group is inviting businesses across the fusion and nuclear sectors to take part in our Annual Supplier Survey.

As the sector continues to develop, understanding the experiences and needs of businesses across the supply chain is important. From established suppliers to organisations exploring opportunities for the first time, we want to hear from businesses of all sizes and backgrounds.

The survey gives you the opportunity to share your views on the opportunities and challenges facing your organisation, the support you may need and how UKAEA Group can improve its engagement with the wider supply chain. This year, we are introducing questions related to benefits and outcomes generated through UKAEA Group engagement including jobs, skills and wider economic, social or environmental benefits. We are keen to understand how engagement with UKAEA Group is contributing to business development, innovation and growth of UK industrial capability. 

Your feedback will contribute to our research and future planning, helping us build a clearer picture of the businesses, skills and capabilities within the sector and the impact of our activities.

Have your say — and help us reach more businesses.

We encourage all suppliers and interested organisations to complete the survey and share it with their wider networks, helping us hear from as many businesses across the supply chain as possible.

If you have any questions regarding the survey, please contact supplychain@ukaea.uk.