The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) has operated an environmental radioactivity surveillance programme for some years. Originally, samples of airborne dust, rainwater and milk were collected from the constituent countries of the UK. However, due mainly to the decreasing activity concentrations of radionuclides in these materials, this programme has been reduced and new forms part of contingency planning in the event of an accident. The programme can be expanded to fill the need for rapid results and answer public concerns. Other programmes within the UK complement the Board’s programme.