Subsidy control: guidance

Subsidies and Schemes of Interest and Subsidies and Schemes of Particular Interest

The subsidy control regime empowers public authorities to give subsidies that are tailored to their needs, subject to compliance with the subsidy control requirements.  A small proportion of these subsidies will have greater potential to lead to undue distortion and negative effects on competition or investment within the UK, or on international trade or investment.  The subsidy control regime therefore includes two distinct categories of subsidy or subsidy scheme that have been identified as having greater potential to lead to distortive effects: Subsidies or Schemes of Interest (SSoI), and Subsidies or Schemes of Particular Interest (SSoPI).

If your subsidy or subsidy scheme comes under the SSoI or SSoPI categories, there are specific requirements that need to be fulfilled, including possible referral to the Competition and Markets Authority Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU).

For more information on SSoI and SSoPI, please refer to Chapter 10 of the Statutory Guidance.

For more information on Subsidy Advice Unit referrals, please refer to Chapter 11 of the Statutory Guidance.