S guidance

Question 1

SSoPI/SSoI definitions

Answer 1

Subsidies given outside of sensitive sectors are SSoPI if they are over
£10 million or if they are over £1 million and they cumulate to more than
£10 million with other related subsidies given over the previous 3
financial years. See below for more details on cumulating subsidies.

Subsidies granted in sensitive sectors will be SSoPI if they are over £5
million or if they are over £1 million and they cumulate to more than £5
million with other related subsidies given over the previous 3 financial
years. See below for more details on cumulating subsidies.

Other subsidies of between £5 million to £10 million (individually or
cumulatively) that do not meet the SSoPI criteria are SSoI.

Question 2

Subsidy schemes

Answer 2

Subsidies granted under the terms of a scheme of interest or of
particular interest may therefore be granted without further referral.
Cumulation rules also apply to subsidy schemes.

Similarly, a subsidy scheme which allows the granting of a subsidy of interest is defined as a scheme of interest. Subsidies must not be granted under the terms of a scheme of particular interest that is currently under review by the SAU.

Question 3

negative procedure

Answer 3

Negative procedure means that when certain regulations or statutory instruments are introduced under the Act, they will automatically become law unless either the House of Commons or the House of Lords raises an objection within a specific period (usually 40 days). If no objection is made, the regulation goes into effect without needing a formal debate.