Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Media Mergers Legislation

16 July 2025 · Department for Culture, Media and Sport

Proposed by Stephanie Peacock Lab Barnsley South

Business & TradeCulture, Media & SportForeign Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The statement addresses proposed regulations under the Enterprise Act 2002 concerning foreign state-owned investors' involvement in UK newspapers.
  • A consultation is being launched today, 16 July, and will run for eight weeks until 18 September.
  • A second statutory instrument will be laid later in the autumn to amend the legislation.

Issue summary

The statement addresses proposed regulations under the Enterprise Act 2002 concerning foreign state-owned investors' involvement in UK newspapers.

Action requested

A consultation is being launched today, 16 July, and will run for eight weeks until 18 September to address concerns about multiple state-owned investors. Following this, a second statutory instrument will be laid later in the autumn to amend the legislation.

Key facts

  • The Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) Regulations 2025 permit foreign SOIs to hold up to 15% of shares and voting rights in UK newspaper enterprises.
  • Concerns were raised about the risk of multiple state-owned investors acting on behalf of different states, each holding up to 15%.
  • The consultation will be open from 16 July until 18 September.
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