Investment Policy Measures

25 results
United Kingdom

United Kingdom

20 Nov 2023

Extends the investment zone and freeport tax reliefs

On 20 November 2023, the Government of the United Kingdom announced that the investment zone and freeport tax reliefs will be extended from five to ten years. In addition, each investment zone will be provided with 160 million pounds [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

26 Oct 2023

Enacts an Energy Act focussed on promoting investment in clean technologies

On 26 October 2023, the United Kingdom enacted the Energy Act 2023, a pivotal reform in the energy system with a primary focus on promoting investment in clean technologies and achieving the United Kingdom's net-zero targets. One [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

30 Jun 2023

Introduces a new prohibition on the provision of legal advisory services under the sanctions regime

On 30 June 2023, the Government of the United Kingdom has introduced a new prohibition on the provision of legal advisory services where the legal advisory services are provided in relation to certain financial or trade activities [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

27 Apr 2023

Publishes new guidance on its National Security and Investment Act

On 27 April 2023, the Government of the United Kingdom published new Market Guidance on the National Security and Investment Act 2021. The latest guidance provides more detailed information on various aspects of the National Security [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

13 Jan 2023

Establishes two green freeports in Scotland

On 13 January 2023, two green freeports were established in Scotland. The freeports aim to promote innovation, create new green employment opportunities, uphold the highest environmental protections, and support economic transformation. [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

05 Dec 2022

Prohibits the delivery by ship of oil and oil products from the Russian Federation and related ancillary services

On 5 December 2022, the United Kingdom adopted The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 16) Regulations 2022. It prohibits the supply and delivery by ship of certain oil and oil products from the Russian Federation to a third [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

17 Nov 2022

Imposes new levy on companies generating electricity and increases the Energy Profits Levy to 35 per cent

On 17 November 2022, the Government imposed new windfall taxes on companies of the energy industry. The Energy Profit Levy, which applies to the profits of oil and gas companies, was originally introduced in May 2022 at a rate of 25 [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

28 Oct 2022

Bans the import of liquefied natural gas from the Russian Federation and related funds and services

On 28 October 2022, the United Kingdom imposed further trade sanctions against the Russian Federation. Among others, it prohibits the import of liquefied natural gas which originates in or is consigned from the Russian Federation as [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

19 Jul 2022

Expands restrictions on investments into the Russian Federation

On 18 July 2022, by the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit)(Amendment) (No.12) Regulations 2022, the United Kingdom introduced new restrictions on investments into the Russian Federation. Restrictions regarding investments (and services directly [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

05 Jul 2022

Imposes further financial and trade sanctions against Belarus

On 5 July 2022, the United Kingdom’s Government amended the Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU exit) Regulations 2019. The amendments widen the financial sanctions by extending existing restrictions to a broader range of transferable [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

19 May 2022

Freezes assets of three major airlines in the Russian Federation

On 19 May 2022, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office updated the United Kingdom Sanctions List to include three major Russian airlines: JSC ROSSIYA AIRLINES, JSC URAL AIRLINES, PJSC AEROFLOT. These companies are now subject [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

21 Apr 2022

Freezes assets of Russian entities from military sector and transport industry

On 21 April 2022, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom updated the UK Sanctions List to include Russian additional individuals and entities. Beyond several companies in the defence sector, the list [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

06 Apr 2022

Freezes assets of two additional Russian banks

On 6 April 2022, Sberbank and Credit Bank of Moscow were added to the list of Russian banks subject to asset freeze. [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

30 Mar 2022

Extends the finance, shipping and trade restrictions to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions

On 30 March 2022, the existing finance, shipping and trade restrictions in respect of Crimea were extended to the areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions not controlled by the Government of Ukraine. This includes the following prohibitions: [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

01 Mar 2022

Introduced some new trade, financial and investment sanctions against the Russian Federation

On 1 March 2022, by Amendments No.2-5 the Government added some new trade, financial and investment sanctions to the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2022. Amendment No.2 extended financial restrictions to include a broader [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

04 Jan 2022

New investment screening regime will be operational on 4 January 2022

The British Government set the date of the commencement of the National Security and Investment Act for 4 January 2022. The new legislation is a major amendment of foreign investment screening mechanism in the United Kingdom. Additionally, [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

19 Nov 2021

Designates Teesside Freeport as the first Free Zone

On 19 November 2021, the Government of the United Kingdom by the Order SI 2021/1290 has designated Teesside Freeport as Free Zone. It is the first out of eight Free Zones announced by the UK Government that are expected to become hubs [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

29 Apr 2021

National Security and Investment Bill receives Royal Assent

On 29 April 2021, the National Security and Investment Bill received Royal Assent and became law in the United Kingdom. It will enter into force upon a date decided by the Government. The main purpose of the Act is to introduce a stand-alone [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

27 Apr 2021

UK Investment Council established

On 27 April 2021, the UK Investment Council was established to "to enhance UK inward investment and inform the UK’s independent trade policy by providing a forum for global investors" to advice the Government. The Council is chaired [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

20 Jul 2020

Additional technologies covered by FDI screening mechanism

On 20 July 2020, the Business Secretary made two additional orders amending the circumstances when the Government may intervene in mergers under the Enterprise Act 2002. The changes lower the jurisdictional thresholds for merger controls [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

22 Jun 2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK starts screening foreign takeovers and their impact on public health emergencies

On 22 June 2020, the Foreign Secretary issued an Order amending the Enterprise Act 2002 to add the “need to maintain in the UK the capability to combat, and mitigate the effects of public health emergencies” as a “specified consideration” [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

11 Jun 2018

The United Kingdom strengthens its control over mergers in critical sectors due to national security considerations

On 11 June 2018, the United Kingdom brought two amendments to the Enterprise Act 2002 into force. These amendments change the conditions for the application of the UK’s reviews of inward investment to manage national security concerns. [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

01 Aug 2013

Introduces job requirements for wind farm subsidies

The Government of the United Kingdom introduced additional requirement for big offshore wind farms to apply for subsidies. Developers of offshore wind farms will have to explain how they plan to create more British jobs before applying [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

01 Oct 2011

Approves privatization of Royal Mail

Following agreement by both Houses, the Bill on privatization of the British Royal Mail Group (Royal Mail) received Royal Assent on 13 June 2011 and came into force on 1 October 2011. The coalition Government aims to begin the privatization [...]

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

19 Sep 2011

Introduces tighter takeover rules

The United Kingdom introduced tighter takeover rules on 19 September 2011. The new rules include the banning of "break fees"—penalties imposed on parties for abandoning an agreed deal in favour of a rival offer—which could result in [...]

Number of policy measures per economy (since 01 Jan 2010) 1 94