The UK Government see its National Security and Investment Act receive Royal Assent

Introduction A new national security new regime On 29 April 2021, the UK National Security and Investment Act ("Act") received Royal Assent. When brought into force, which is not expected until late 2021, the Act will significantly strengthen the UK Government's powers to investigate and potentially prohibit transactions on national security grounds. The Act contains a mandatory notification regime, backed up by criminal sanctions, for transactions in sectors thought most likely to raise national security concerns, and a voluntary notification process (underpinned by a "call-in" power) for other transactions that may affect UK national security interests. In its impact assessment published in November 2020 when the proposed Bill was introduced to Parliament, the Government stated