National security and investment: proposed legislative reforms
Read the full outcome
Detail of outcome
The legislation the government now proposes has evolved in some important ways from the proposals set out in the White Paper. However, in developing the policy, the government has remained committed to the key principles of the White Paper. These include providing certainty, transparency and predictability of the regime and ensuring that the UK is a good place to invest in a business. We have also analysed and taken account of the views expressed in the consultation alongside changes in the wider security and economic context.
Some respondents raised concerns that this regime disproportionately expanded the government’s powers to intervene in the market. The government reiterates that the new regime will only relate to national security.
Under the new regime, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will be the decision-maker and will undertake that role in a ‘quasi-judicial’ capacity where, given the nature of the decisions being taken, it is particularly important that the decision-maker acts independently and is not subject to any improper influence.
The legislation will establish a clear test that must be met for the government to call in a trigger event for a national security assessment. The legislation will ensure that the Secretary of State must have a reasonable suspicion that a risk to national security may arise where the Secretary of State reasonably suspects that a trigger event has taken place, or is in progress or contemplation, in relation to a qualifying entity or asset.
In addition, under the legislation the Secretary of State will need to reasonably consider that it is necessary and proportionate to impose a final remedy. In making this decision, the Secretary of State will have the objective of preventing, remedying or mitigating, the risk to national security.
The new regime will be subject to judicial oversight, so parties will have the right to challenge decisions in the courts.
The government has also revised its approach on the publication requirements of the regime, responding to the concerns raised during the consultation about the commercial and reputational implications of the publication of the government’s decision to call in a trigger event. Instead, the government intends to only routinely publish information at the final decision stage and usually only in relation to trigger events where final remedies (including blocking orders) are imposed.
The government fully recognises the importance of the regime operating effectively from the first day it comes into force. It is crucial for business and investors that the government acts expeditiously to meet the statutory timescales for screening notifications and carrying out national security assessments. Work is currently ongoing across government to develop the resourcing model for the regime. This will ensure that sufficient resources are in place to handle and process cases.
Detail of feedback received
The government received 67 written responses to the consultation. The responses to the consultation were well informed and constructive on the detail set out in the White Paper. Most respondents acknowledged that the government should have powers in this area to enable the government to fulfil one of its primary duties of protecting national security.
Original consultation
Consultation description
This white paper is the next stage in the government’s reform of its powers in relation to protecting national security from hostile actors’ acquisition of control over entities or assets.
It follows the National Security and Infrastructure Investment Review green paper, published in October 2017, and takes account of the responses to that consultation, a summary of which has been published on that page.
The white paper sets out the government’s proposed reforms for creating clear and focused powers within a predictable and transparent process.
The government will use the responses to this white paper to refine these proposals ahead of the introduction of primary legislation.
Documents
Updates to this page
Last updated 11 November 2020 + show all updates
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Government response published.
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First published.