IET responds to BEIS’ potential change to State Aid Rules
In response to the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) looking to change State Aid rules following the United Kingdom’s departure of the European Union in 2020, Professor Devaki Bhatta, Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Innovation and Emerging Technologies Policy Panel, said:
“Leaving the European Union gives us the flexibility to change our State Aid rules to improve the competitiveness of British engineering and technology firms.
“There should be particular focus on supporting SMEs operating in key areas of the economy that are vital for our long-term prosperity, including digital technology and AI, sustainable manufacturing and transport, as well as ‘levelling up’ the geographical distribution of research and development incentives across the UK.
“We also call for a joined-up approach between State Aid legislation and public procurement to boost innovation and enable British technology businesses to thrive in a global economy.”
