May 2023
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This conference examined the future of state aid in the UK following the implementation of the Government’s new subsidy control regime, and the opening of the CMA’s new Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU).
Delegates discussed next steps for developing a fair and efficient subsidy award system, and priorities for using post-Brexit subsidy policy to support key national objectives, including net zero and levelling up.
Further sessions looked at the role of the UK’s subsidy control regime in supporting local and devolved governments in their pursuit of innovation strategies, environmental reform, and local and regional development.
The conference was also an opportunity to assess the impact of the new system on the UK’s ability to meet its international commitments on subsidy control.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- subsidy control regime: with a keynote contribution from the Department for Business and Trade - progress on implementation - next steps for developing UK subsidy policy
- competition: determining proportionality and necessity - the role of the CMA’s Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) and the Competition Appeal Tribunal in ensuring fair and efficient awarding processes
- self-assessment: what is needed to develop consistent standards - fair and transparent awarding across public authorities
- efficiency: reducing bureaucracy - the future of streamlined subsidies
- support for national goals: examining the potential for post-Brexit subsidy policy - supporting key national objectives
- local and regional development: facilitating localised innovation, economic development, and environmental reform strategies through the new subsidy control regime
- aligning subsidies and trade policy: priorities for meeting the UK’s international subsidy control commitments under the new WTO rules and in Free Trade Agreements
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the Cabinet Office; CMA; DAERA, NI; Defra; DBT; DCMS; Department for the Economy, NI; DESNZ; DLUHC; DSIT; DfT; DHSC; HMRC; Home Office; IPO; Ofcom; Ofgem; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.
