UK subsidy control regime
Guidance and information on the UK subsidy control regime.
The UK subsidy control regime began on 4 January 2023. It enables public authorities, including devolved administrations and local authorities, to give subsidies that are tailored to their local needs, and that drive economic growth while minimising distortion to UK competition and protecting our international obligations.
This page provides information on:
- the subsidy control regime
- the UK’s international subsidy control requirements
- the role of departments, devolved governments and the Subsidy Advice Unit (within the Competition and Markets Authority) in supporting public authorities
The Subsidy Control Act provides the framework for the regime.
Contact
Contact the BEIS Subsidy Control team:
- for general queries: subsidycontrol@beis.gov.uk
- for specific queries relating to the subsidy database: subsidydatabase@beis.gov.uk
Public authorities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should contact the subsidy control teams in the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Civil Service for support and guidance:
- Subsidy Control Division (Scotland): subsidycontrol@gov.scot
- Subsidy Control Team (Wales): State.Aid@gov.wales
- DfE Subsidy Control (Northern Ireland): subsidycontrol@economy-ni.gov.uk
- DAERA State Aid Unit (Northern Ireland – Agriculture): stateaid@daera-ni.gov.uk
Guidance on the UK subsidy control regime
We have provided guidance and information here, including this short animated video which explains more about the subsidy control regime.
The new UK Subsidy Control regime
Read a transcript of the video
UK subsidy database
Use this finder tool to search the full list of active subsidy schemes and view all the businesses that have received subsidies and subsidy awards under each scheme:
Subsidies and subsidy schemes awarded by the government
Guidance sessions for public authorities
Are you a public authority about to award a subsidy? Would you like to understand better how this fits in with the Subsidy Control Act 2022?
We are holding online one-to-one guidance sessions to help support you through the new regime. The sessions currently run up until March 2023: see Eventbrite for specific dates and registration details.
We have published statutory guidance on the subsidy control regime, as well as a shorter guide to help explain the regime to public authorities and a subsidy control principles assessment template.
Streamlined Routes
Streamlined Routes are a type of subsidy scheme made by the UK government that offer a pre-assessed option. They are designed to help public authorities award subsidies more quickly.
We have published Streamlined Routes in the following 3 areas:
- research, development and innovation
- energy usage
- local growth
International subsidy control commitments
These two guidance documents outline how public authorities giving subsidies must comply with the UK’s international subsidy control commitments. They cover:
- international subsidy control guidance covering World Trade Organisation rules, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the UK’s other free trade agreements
- guidance for public authorities on the scope and application of Article 10 of the Windsor Framework
Roles and responsibilities
Guidance and information on subsidy control teams in the UK, its devolved governments and the Subsidy Advice Unit.
The role of the Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) is to evaluate public authorities’ own assessments in respect of Subsidies or Schemes of Interest or Particular Interest.
The unit sits within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Find out more about the Subsidy Advice Unit.
Consultations
Draft statutory guidance on the Subsidy Control Act 2022 (1 July 2022)
This consultation sought views on the form and content of the guidance.
Draft statutory guidance on the Subsidy Control Act 2022
Subsidies and Schemes of Interest and of Particular Interest (25 March 2022)
This consultation sought views on the categories of Subsidies and Schemes of Interest (SSoI) and Subsidies and Schemes of Particular Interest (SSoPI).
Subsidies and Schemes of Interest and of Particular Interest
Subsidy control: designing a new approach for the UK (3 February 2021)
Consultation outcome on the best way to design a bespoke approach to subsidy control, which closed in March 2021.
Subsidy control: designing a new approach for the UK
Draft guidance and draft policy statement for the CMA’s subsidy advice unit (11 July 2022)
The CMA is seeking views on its draft guidance on the operation of the Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU).
Last updated 9 June 2023 + show all updates
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Updates to international commitments guidance with new guidance on the Windsor Framework.
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The UK subsidy control regime begins today.
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How subsidy control applies to agriculture: guidance for public authorities added.
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We are holding an in-person event in Cardiff on 12 January 2023: register your interest now.
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Added Streamlined Routes document to page.
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Public authorities one-to-one appointments added. UK subsidy control statutory guidance and Subsidy control rules: key requirements for public authorities published.
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We have published details of a series of in-person / online events for public authorities, to explain the main features and principles of the new regime.
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First published.