Will the Subsidy Control Bill make the UK's new state aid regime a Brexit success?

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The government's Subsidy Control Bill sets out how the UK will replace EU state aid rules, but will this deliver a post-Brexit dividend, and how will the UK's system change how subsidies are offered?

With the bill having passed through the House of Commons and set to be scrutinised in the House of Lords, this Institute for Government panel explored the opportunities – and risks – of setting up a bespoke post-Brexit state aid regime.

While leaving the EU allows the UK's system to focus domestic concerns and government priorities like reaching net zero, a poorly designed system could mean poor regulation of subsidies and creating legal uncertainty.

Will the new system provide the additional flexibility, freedom and certainty that the government has promised – or is it a recipe for confusion? And as the legislation is scrutinised in parliament, how can it be improved to ensure it delivers for UK governments, public bodies and businesses?

On our panel to discuss these issues were:

• Peter Foster, Public Policy Editor at the Financial Times
• George Peretz QC, Barrister at Monckton Chambers
• Thomas Pope, Deputy Chief Economist at the Institute for Government
• Rahat Siddique, Economist at the Confederation of British Industry

The event began with a short presentation by Thomas Pope, summarising the new system and presenting initial conclusions on its effectiveness.

The event was chaired by Dr Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist at the Institute for Government.

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