State Aid referral to UK Government department: FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.


Information requested

1. On 15th December 2021, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee MSP told the Scottish Parliament that the Scottish Government would communicate “to the European Commission, through the relevant UK Government department” that there was a potential breach of state aid when it made a deal in 2016 with Tata Steel to buy Dalzell Clydebridge Steelworks before immediately selling to Liberty Steel.

2. Please confirm whether this communication has taken place, which UK Government department the Scottish Government informed and whether a referral to the European Commission has been made, or if any other action in regards to this potential breach has been undertaken.

Response

The Scottish Government advised the UK Government’s department for Business, Enterprise and Industrial Strategy of the position shortly after Mr McKee’s Statement in the Scottish Parliament. It would be for the UK government to make any referral to the European Commission. As stated in the Scottish Parliament, the position regarding the possible breach of state aid has been rectified to ensure that no breach of the rules could be made in future.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference
Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrews House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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