Review of nuclear archive records update - January 2024
Updated 17 January 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-nuclear-archive-records/review-of-nuclear-archive-records-update-january-2024
The review of nuclear-related files in the ES and AB series held at The National Archives is being conducted in 5 stages. Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4 have been completed and stage 5 is ongoing.
Stage 5 involves an in-depth review of around 9,000 remaining records and, to date, over 1,300 of these files have been released back to public access during phase 1 of the stage. As a result, around 68,000 files in total have been released back to public access at the Kew archive. Further updates on the outcome of stage 5 will be provided in due course.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continues to receive requests under the terms of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act (the Act) 2000 for files currently under review. As announced in January 2021, due to the FOI requests placing disproportionate burden on the MOD and the public interest in the completion of the review, all requests are being considered against the burden criteria under Section 14(1) of the Act. The application of Section 14(1) of the Act remains under continuous assessment by MOD during the file review process.