National Security and Infrastructure Investment Review

Overview

We're seeking views on how the Government can best ensure that investments and takeovers do not raise national security concerns.

The UK follows an economic model that thrives on openness to trade. This has served the country well over the years. However, such a model can only be effective if it comes with safeguards, particularly Government’s duty to safeguard national security.

The Government’s National Security and Infrastructure Investment review seeks views on how best these objectives can be delivered.

The consultation is split into two parts.

The first focusses on the Government’s short-term proposals to amend the turnover threshold and share of supply tests within the Enterprise Act 2002. This is to allow the Government to examine and potentially intervene in mergers that currently fall outside the thresholds in two areas: (i) the dual use and military use sector, (ii) parts of the advanced technology sector. For these areas only, the Government proposes 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%. This consultation will last four weeks, closing on 14 November 2017.

The second part of the consultation seeks views about potential long-term reforms that Government should take to its approach to ensuring that investments and takeovers cannot raise national security concerns. The precise shape and scope of these reforms will be informed by this consultation. The consultation will last for twelve weeks, closing on 9 January 2018.

Please ensure you return your answers on each consultation within the set deadline.