<p>The contract agreed between NDA and NMP in 2008 runs for 17 years. NDA can terminate it at any time, giving 12 months' notice and the contract includes specified points at which overall progress will be reviewed. The decision to continue with the contract, beyond the first review point in 2013-14, was an operational matter for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).</p><p>The Department has oversight of all NDA activity and given the particular importance of Sellafield, officials have been closely involved throughout. From this we are assured that the NDA reached its decision based on a thorough and independent review of performance in the first period of the contract and consideration of all the options available to it. Ministers have been kept informed and endorsed the NDA Board's decision to extend the contract for a second term.</p>