Subsidies and Schemes of Interest and Particular Interest

Subsidies must avoid overly distorting or having a negative effect on the UK single market or on international trade or investment.

Subsidies or Schemes of Interest (SSoI) or Subsidies or Schemes of Particular Interest (SSoPI) are subsidies that have a higher risk of doing so.

SSoPI must be referred to the Competition and Market Authority’s Subsidy Advice Unit for review. For SSoI this is voluntary.

SSoPI are subsidies that meet any of the following criteria:

• subsidies of over £5 million awarded in sensitive sectors (please see UK Statutory Guidance for full list of sensitive sectors)
• subsidies of over £1 million awarded in sensitive sectors and that cumulate above £5 million together with other related subsidies given within the previous 3 financial years.
• subsidies of over £10 million outside of sensitive sectors
• subsidies of over £1 million outside of sensitive sectors and that would cumulate above £10 million together with other related subsidies given within the previous 3 financial years
• relocation subsidies (that meet the conditions set out for an exemption from the general prohibition in section 18 of the Act) exceeding £1 million
• restructuring subsidies

SSoI are subsidies that meet any of the following criteria:

• subsidies that are not a SSoPI that are between £5 million and £10 million, or that cumulate to such a value together with other subsidies given within the previous 3 financial years
• relocation subsidies (that meet the conditions set out for an exemption from the general prohibition in section 18 of the Act) of £1 million or below
• rescue subsidies
• tax subsidies

For detailed guidance on which subsidies and schemes are considered SSoI and SSoPI see chapter 10 of the UK subsidy control statutory guidance on GOV.UK.

For further assistance and guidance relating to an SSoI or SSoPI please contact the Subsidy Control Unit: subsidycontrolunit@gov.wales