UK Set To Upgrade National Security Measures For Infrastructure

Foreign entities planning to acquire or control a UK company active in infrastructure, technology and emergency services will need to consider UK national security before entering into a transaction. The proposed changes come as part of a tightening of the rules governing foreign takeovers across a number of countries. They follow recent changes to the UK merger control thresholds to broaden the scope for the Secretary of State to intervene in acquisitions of companies active in particular types of military technology, computer hardware and quantum technology. The detailed proposals are published in the UK Government's 122-page White Paper and draft Statutory Statement of Policy Intent (SSPI) (see link below).