New measures to update the merger system and better protect national security have been set out by UK Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark.
The new 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.
In these areas, currently the Government can only intervene in mergers involving companies with a UK turnover of more than GBP70 million or where the share of UK supply increases to 25 per cent or over. The new 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 GBP1 million, and remove the requirement for a merger to increase a business’s share of supply of, or over, 25 per cent.
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.
Clark says: “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.
The consultation on amending the Enterprise Act through secondary legislation will last four weeks. The proposals are to lower the turnover threshold from GBP70 million to GBP1 million and remove the current requirement for the merger to increase the share of supply to or over 25 per cent. 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 twelve weeks. A final package of reforms could include some or all of these options.
