Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #StateAid
Most recents (15)
The narrative is engrossing, all the while ensuring his points are neatly numbered. Looking forward to reading the rest. Snips in this thread are homemade translations and not from the English version, which will be out in October, I think. #Barnier amazon.com/grande-illusio…
Was the UK so enveloped in ideological heat and nostalgia, so parched for what seemed a convenient out from economic stagnation that they desperately grasped at this mirage of a solution? 
I received long letters from both Sabine Weyand and Stefaan De Rynck as thanks for the art books I sent. The fact that they took the time to do it speaks volumes.
The UK is lurching towards a ‘no deal’ #Brexit as @BorisJohnson refuses to compromise on State aid law.
thetimes.co.uk/article/pm-thr… @ShippersUnbound #StateAid #Subsidies
thetimes.co.uk/article/pm-thr… @ShippersUnbound #StateAid #Subsidies
Worth noting this is a primarily ideological stance.
The Government doesn’t appear to have plans to shift to the UK economy to Scandinavian levels of State spending.
Quadrupling State aid would bring the UK on par with Germany (who, of course, are subject to the same rules).
The Government doesn’t appear to have plans to shift to the UK economy to Scandinavian levels of State spending.
Quadrupling State aid would bring the UK on par with Germany (who, of course, are subject to the same rules).
However don’t underestimate how ingrained a dislike of State aid regulation is amongst Boris Johnson’s inner circle.
I understand the most hardline voices on this subject have been the two Dominics (Cummings and Raab). This isn’t a recent position either.
I understand the most hardline voices on this subject have been the two Dominics (Cummings and Raab). This isn’t a recent position either.
The 7th round of 🇬🇧- 🇪🇺 talks start at 10am CET on Wednesday.
In terms of #StateAid, agreement ought to be reached on the basis of an independent UK State aid regime, which upholds similar high standards of subsidy control as the EU’s regime.
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In terms of #StateAid, agreement ought to be reached on the basis of an independent UK State aid regime, which upholds similar high standards of subsidy control as the EU’s regime.
Thread 1/5
The 🇪🇺 is open to such a State aid solution.
However 🇬🇧 has yet to publish any details of its regime.
In part, this is because the most fervent believers in the #Brexit project are convinced that the EU will accept anything, provided it is put forward at the 11th hour.
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However 🇬🇧 has yet to publish any details of its regime.
In part, this is because the most fervent believers in the #Brexit project are convinced that the EU will accept anything, provided it is put forward at the 11th hour.
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But it is also because two factions have developed within @10DowningStreet.
One faction prioritises the needs of the UK #economy, wanting strong rules to ensure healthy #competiton between businesses and to avoid the taxpayer footing the bill for excessive subsidies.
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One faction prioritises the needs of the UK #economy, wanting strong rules to ensure healthy #competiton between businesses and to avoid the taxpayer footing the bill for excessive subsidies.
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If the UK going to redesign its #StateAid rules, then perhaps we should start with an informed debate about what type of economy the UK needs. ft.com/content/868fe3…
@MazzucatoM makes some excellent points about how the State currently doesn’t generate “bang for the buck”.
Instead she says we need an openly #EntrepreneurialState, willing to proactively invest and shape markets for society’s benefit.
Instead she says we need an openly #EntrepreneurialState, willing to proactively invest and shape markets for society’s benefit.
We should be proud about the State supporting successful innovation and enterprise.
Perhaps when the UK taxpayer backs an initiative there should be a publicity requirement to recognise this? e.g. a standardised reference on the website to taxpayers money having been used.
Perhaps when the UK taxpayer backs an initiative there should be a publicity requirement to recognise this? e.g. a standardised reference on the website to taxpayers money having been used.
This #StateAid approval will be hugely controversial.
At €500 billion, people will rightly ask whether there can ever be a ‘level playing field’ when the value of State aid approved for one EU country exceeds the other 27?
At €500 billion, people will rightly ask whether there can ever be a ‘level playing field’ when the value of State aid approved for one EU country exceeds the other 27?
To add some scale - in May, France and Germany were calling for a €500 bn recovery fund for the EU.
ft.com/content/c23ebc…
ft.com/content/c23ebc…
But now it appears they are creating a fund of the same value for their own needs.
The UK has traditionally invested far less in its businesses through #StateAid than other EU countries.
I welcome greater investment by this Government so we can #catchup and hopefully overtake.
I welcome greater investment by this Government so we can #catchup and hopefully overtake.
The greater the sums invested, the more important it is that we have effective subsidy control rules, which:
- protect the #taxpayer from excessive subsidies;
- guard against #cronyism;
- coordinate public funding towards objectives such as #levellingup and #climatechange.
- protect the #taxpayer from excessive subsidies;
- guard against #cronyism;
- coordinate public funding towards objectives such as #levellingup and #climatechange.
Brief comment on this. From a #stateaid perspective, this will not be aid if it is investment on market terms. The involvement of commercial partners supports the view that it is, as long as they are investing on the same or basically similar (“pari passu” in the jargon) terms.
But even if it isn’t State aid, it’s fair to wonder what audit or governance process it went through. After all, there are real risks that big spending becomes a substitute for more effective action.
Also risks of groupthink:
Right. I’m going to try to live tweet this morning’s meeting of @LordsEUCom on #stateaid, taking evidence from Paul Scully (the relevant Minister at BEIS) and Jessica Blakely, Director of Subsidy Control and International Negotiations at BEIS.
Meeting starts at 1030. For those who have 10 minutes to kill and want some background, there are a number of blog posts at uksala.org/category/brexi….
On #stateaid I’d identify these key issues for the Committee to explore.
Q. Should the UK prohibit #StateAid to large businesses engaged in #TaxAvoidance?
This question comes from a comment I heard in a webinar recently.
Obviously I wondered whether if it was true, but also it’s the kind of consideration which may come to the fore if the UK Government sets up its own State aid regime.
Obviously I wondered whether if it was true, but also it’s the kind of consideration which may come to the fore if the UK Government sets up its own State aid regime.
What is tax avoidance in this instance is a fair question.
Let’s say those who submitted a DOTA or found by HMRC to have engaged in tax avoidance.
Let’s say those who submitted a DOTA or found by HMRC to have engaged in tax avoidance.
Some comments on @beisgovuk’s answer, concentrating on #stateaid.
Still no details of what the Govt has in mind for a domestic subsidy regime, 6 months before it needs to come into force. (It will need legislation.)
Yes, there are “several complexities”: but that’s an argument for going out and discussing with stakeholders what you should do. Law produced like a rabbit from a hat weeks before it takes effect won’t be good law.
Excellent @GavinBarwell talk about the #Covid19 pandemic and likely implications.
#StateAid issues at heart of the recovery, whether that’s denying future support to those engaged in #taxavoidance or Government (reluctantly) taking equity stakes in major businesses.
#StateAid issues at heart of the recovery, whether that’s denying future support to those engaged in #taxavoidance or Government (reluctantly) taking equity stakes in major businesses.
There will be a post-pandemic belief that things cannot go back to the way things were.
#BuildaBetterFuture may well be build around a measures to tackle climate change.
#BuildaBetterFuture may well be build around a measures to tackle climate change.
Cracking answer to my #levellingup question
@GavinBarwell thinks it remains a core promise
Furthermore there will be lots of interesting opportunities for this to help the post-#Covid economy inc
more #onshoring of supply chains and openness to good ideas using public funding
@GavinBarwell thinks it remains a core promise
Furthermore there will be lots of interesting opportunities for this to help the post-#Covid economy inc
more #onshoring of supply chains and openness to good ideas using public funding
Great to be part of #Lexxion’s first #EUStateAid webinar with over 150 participants from 27 Member States.
I’m delivering the next one with Jonathan Branton and @GeorgePeretzQC on #StateAid law in the UK including #Brexit and #COVIDー19 exemptions.
I’m delivering the next one with Jonathan Branton and @GeorgePeretzQC on #StateAid law in the UK including #Brexit and #COVIDー19 exemptions.
Top tips so far relate to:
- when changes for the European Commission’s Temporary Framework will be adopted; and
- how to avoid pitfalls with Article 107(2)(b) of the Treaty.
- when changes for the European Commission’s Temporary Framework will be adopted; and
- how to avoid pitfalls with Article 107(2)(b) of the Treaty.
Prof. Nicolaides sets out the latest scoreboard of #StateAid authorised aid measures in the wake of the #Coronavirus pandemic.
Tonight’s #StateAid event will be fascinating.
There are many different opinions about what the future should hold for subsidy regulation in the UK, but three main views emerging:
1) lockstep with #EUStateAid rules (assists FTA but at odds with taking back control)
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There are many different opinions about what the future should hold for subsidy regulation in the UK, but three main views emerging:
1) lockstep with #EUStateAid rules (assists FTA but at odds with taking back control)
1/3
2) #WTOPlus, essentially building a new UK subsidy control system with the starting point being the relevant WTO rules.
There are questions about how this would work in practice given the base rules are rarely enforced and don’t cover services.
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There are questions about how this would work in practice given the base rules are rarely enforced and don’t cover services.
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3) #UKStateAid - a forward facing independent subsidy control regime.
Allows the UK to design its own block exemptions which contribute to its objectives, eg #climatechange or #regeneration. Part of UK law, rather than EU law.
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Allows the UK to design its own block exemptions which contribute to its objectives, eg #climatechange or #regeneration. Part of UK law, rather than EU law.
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NEW: The UK publishes its approach to negotiating the future #UK - #EU relationship gov.uk/government/pub… UK already saying that it wants a "Canada", "Korea" or "Japan" style relationship and wants to be seen as a "sovereign equal". None of this likely to fly anywhere...
Here is the document itself with some key bits highlighted (thread) assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
The State aid rules stop excessive subsidies.
They benefit consumers by allowing the best products and services to prosper (rather than those being artificially propped up).
Faster, clearer rules are to be welcomed. But they need to be effective too. #Stateaid #PublicFunding
They benefit consumers by allowing the best products and services to prosper (rather than those being artificially propped up).
Faster, clearer rules are to be welcomed. But they need to be effective too. #Stateaid #PublicFunding
It’s positive that there is a commitment to having State aid rules in future.
In terms of the effectiveness, I look forward to seeing the detail of the proposals.
In my view State aid rules should (a) limit subsidies to the minimum necessary (b) safeguard the ability 1/2
In terms of the effectiveness, I look forward to seeing the detail of the proposals.
In my view State aid rules should (a) limit subsidies to the minimum necessary (b) safeguard the ability 1/2
of businesses to compete on a level playing field (ie on merit) and, (c) ideally, be one of the safeguards which makes the UK an attractive partner for future free trade deals 2/2
