Government updates mergers regime to protect national security
Measures to update the merger system and better protect national security have been set out today by Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark.
Today’s proposals include enabling the government to intervene in mergers that raise national security concerns, even when they involve smaller businesses. These changes are targeted at key areas, specifically companies that design or manufacture military and dual use products, and parts of the advanced technology sector.
Have your say on these proposals: National security and infrastructure investment review
In these areas, currently the government can only intervene in mergers involving companies with a UK turnover of more than £70 million or where the share of UK supply increases to 25% or over. Today’s proposals will close these loopholes to enable greater scrutiny of foreign investment in a changing market.
In these areas, the government will lower the threshold whereby ministers can scrutinise investment to businesses with a UK turnover of over £1 million, and remove the requirement for a merger to increase a business’s share of supply of, or over, 25%.
Government is also consulting on longer-term proposals that will allow for better scrutiny of transactions that may raise national security concerns – this could include increasing risks of espionage, sabotage, or the ability to exert inappropriate leverage. The government welcomes views on the changes it could make, including:
- introducing a ‘call-in’ power modelled on that in the Enterprise Act 2002 to allow government to scrutinise a broader range of transactions for national security concerns within a voluntary notification regime; and/or
- introducing a mandatory notification regime for foreign investment in certain parts of the economy which are critical for national security, such as the civil nuclear or the defence sector. Mandatory notification could also be required for foreign investment in key new projects or specific businesses or assets.
Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said:
Britain has and always has had a proud record of being open to the world as the foremost advocate of free trade. It is right that every so often the government reviews its mergers regime to close loopholes where they arise and this is what these proposals do in the area of national security.
No part of the economy is off-limits to foreign investment and the UK will continue to be a vociferous advocate for free trade and a magnet for global talent.
The green paper delivers on the commitment made in the Queen’s Speech to bring forward proposals to consolidate and strengthen government’s powers to protect national security.
Today’s consultation will be split into 2 parts.
The consultation on amending the Enterprise Act through secondary legislation will last 4 weeks. The proposals are to lower the turnover threshold from £70 million to £1 million and remove the current requirement for the merger to increase the share of supply to or over 25%. These changes will apply to the following sectors:
- the dual use and military sector – this relates to businesses who manufacture or design items that are subject to export controls; and
- companies that are involved in the design of computer chips and quantum technology.
The government will report back in due course on the proposed secondary legislative changes.
The consultation on longer-term reforms including the expanded version of the ‘call in’ power and mandatory notification regime will last 12 weeks.
A final package of reforms could include some or all of these options.
Updates to this page
Last updated 17 October 2017 + show all updates
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Link to green paper consultation added.
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First published.