{"id":85414,"date":"2017-10-17T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-10-17T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=449a8ee6a9b45314deeb2b7d59489904"},"modified":"2017-10-17T12:07:05","modified_gmt":"2017-10-17T12:07:05","slug":"news-story-government-updates-mergers-regime-to-protect-national-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=85414","title":{"rendered":"News story: Government updates mergers regime to protect national security"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated:<\/em> Link to green paper consultation added.<\/p>\n

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Today\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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Have your say on these proposals: National security and infrastructure investment review<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In these areas, currently the government can only intervene in mergers involving companies with a UK turnover of more than \u00a370 million or where the share of UK supply increases to 25% or over. Today\u2019s proposals will close these loopholes to enable greater scrutiny of foreign investment in a changing market.<\/p>\n

In these areas, the government will lower the threshold whereby ministers can scrutinise investment to businesses with a UK turnover of over \u00a31 million, and remove the requirement for a merger to increase a business\u2019s share of supply of, or over, 25%.<\/p>\n

Government is also consulting on longer-term proposals that will allow for better scrutiny of transactions that may raise national security concerns \u2013 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:<\/p>\n