Signal National Security and Investment Act 2021 upgraded investment screening

Summary

The report presents the National Security and Investment Act 2021 as one of the mitigations against state threats. The Act substantially strengthened the UK's powers to screen investment. It lets the government scrutinise business transactions and step in where needed to protect national security. The report warns that foreign states may try to obtain UK information by technical and non-technical means to gain economic, competitive or military advantage. Curbing espionage, cyber attacks and the theft of intellectual property helps protect businesses and safeguards economic stability, innovation, trade and investment. The report judges that such measures make the UK's digital and physical assets more secure.