LLG Webinar: Subsidy control principles assessments: Lessons from the CMA

One of the key changes under the subsidy control regime has been the introduction of principles assessments. In many cases local authorities, prior to granting a subsidy, will need to undertake such an assessment. In the event of legal challenge, those assessments are likely to be important evidence as to whether an authority has sufficiently discharged its duties under the Subsidy Control Act 2022.

Many higher value subsidies are subject to referral to the Subsidy Advice Unit within the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This year the SAU CMA have published reports on a number of principles assessments, including those from local authorities. These reports offer vital “lessons learned” when granting subsidies via the principles route.

To assist our members in navigating principles assessments, LLG are hosting a free one hour webinar on Wednesday 18^th October 2023 at 12.00pm. We are delighted to be re-joined by our expert local authority speakers on subsidy control:

- Kieran McGaughey, LLG Director and National Lead for Procurement (including subsidy control)

- Carol Humphries, Principal Lawyer in the Corporate and Governance team at Northumberland County Council

Kieran and Carol have worked with a number of councils and combined authorities over the years, helping them to navigate the often complex State aid and subsidy control rules.

The first part of our session will cover:

• What is asubsidy principles assessment?
• When is it needed, and what should it contain?
• Who should be involved?
• What lessons can be learned from CMA reports to date
• Top tips fordealing with principles assessments at your authority

In the second half of our session, we are very pleased to be joined by two guest speakers from Competition and Markets Authority - Subsidy Advice Unit:

Nathalie Lobel-Lastmann, Assistant Director in the Subsidy Advice Unit at the CMA

Iain Derrick, Principal Subsidy Control Advisor within the SAU

Nathalie and Iain will discuss

• Role of the SAU (Review and Monitoring functions)
• Thresholds at which referrals to SAU are triggered
• Overview of the SAU review process (including the scope for pre-referral discussions with the SAU)
• Themes emerging from recent referrals.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the session. You can register your free place via the link below and colleagues at your authorities are very welcome to join:

Register here