Morning, Friday, 14th November 2025
Online
This conference will examine next steps for the UK subsidy control regime. There will be a focus on recent consultations, legislative amendments and statutory guidance updates, as well as implications for transparency, competition, and broader policy alignment in areas such as industrial strategy, local growth, trade, and net zero.
Policy and regulatory developments
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss implications of the Competition and Markets Authoritys call for inputs on the effectiveness of the Subsidy Control Act 2022, and ahead of its expected final report in 2026, alongside the Department for Business and Trades consultation response on refining the subsidy control regime, and how these interact with the Modern Industrial Strategy 2025 and the newly published UK Trade Strategy. Delegates will consider the effect of proposed changes to referral thresholds, the creation of new streamlined routes, and the statutory guidance update issued in January 2025 - alongside how subsidy control sits within evolving frameworks for economic delivery and trade.
Implementation and statutory guidance
Sessions will examine options for improving the design and implementation of streamlined routes, particularly those supporting arts, culture and regeneration introduced in 2025, and the potential for expansion into other areas. Attendees will assess how the regime supports public-private investment and what is needed to align subsidy deployment with long-term policy goals, including net zero and international trade agreements. Further discussion is expected on local authority capacity and expertise in administering subsidies, and on the evolving role of the Subsidy Advice Unit and the Competition Appeal Tribunal in ensuring legal clarity and confidence in the regime.
Governance, legal clarity, and local delivery
Delegates will also assess implications for delivery, governance, and programme design. Areas for discussion include institutional capability, clarity in applying guidance, and the impact of evolving transparency requirements on internal processes. Discussion is also expected on reputational and legal risk, including scrutiny from the Subsidy Advice Unit and outcomes from recent and pending tribunal cases.
Rollout and alignment with strategic policy priorities
Further sessions will assess the future direction of the framework across sectors and regions, and its role in supporting wider priorities including green investment, industrial development, and place-based regeneration. Discussions will also consider how subsidy frameworks might contribute to delivery of the Industrial Strategys priority sector missions, particularly in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, digital and life sciences - as well as alignment with the UK Trade Strategys objectives on smart trade facilitation and export support.
