'A very large sledgehammer to crack a very small nut' – plans for M&A scrutiny raise questions

Partners at top UK law firms have raised concerns over new proposals that could hand the government increased powers to block transactions on national security grounds.

The proposals will allow the government to 'call in' a broad range of deals – including M&A, loans, and land and intellectual property acquisitions – if it believes there is a risk of "hostile actors using ownership of, or influence over, businesses and assets to harm the country".