Alexander Rose
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alexanderrose.bsky.social
Alexander Rose
@alexanderrose.bsky.social
Lawyer specialising in Public Funding, Subsidy Control and related issues. Previously worked at European Commission and in UK Civil Service. Very excited about effective regeneration.
An AI user is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.
November 7, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Who marks the “I am not a robot” test?

Surely it’s a robot…

This is not the full-proof system it is being presented as.
November 3, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Not how I remember Olaf Scholz, but I guess these things are subjective…
October 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Today the EU publicly expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the UK's Subsidy Control regime.

The weakness of the regime (in particular regulation and enforcement) is likely to be raised in the 5 year review of the #Brexit trade agreement in 2026.
October 28, 2025 at 6:06 PM
In this opinion article, published in today’s @PracticalLawUK, I look into the reasons why there’s been so few cases, but also what can be learned from the Competition Appeal Tribunal decisions so far.

lnkd.in/eDzd_RXe

🧵 / End

#SubsidyControl #StateAid #Brexit
October 22, 2025 at 10:34 AM
MPs were told that there would be around 23 cases each year.

On that basis they agreed a Subsidy Control regime based on private enforcement within a short challenge window.

The reality is that 1,000 days in there’s been 2 cases decided with 2 more being considered soon.
October 22, 2025 at 10:33 AM
When the regime was being designed Boris Johnson’s government rejected the opportunity to have a regulator with powers to investigate and act when there are concerns about a breach of the Subsidy Control Act.

Instead the regime relies upon private enforcement actions.
October 22, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The UK’s Subsidy Control regime helps ensure public funding isn’t wasted or used in ways that damages the competitiveness of businesses.

Yet, there’s a big problem with the regime - the enforcement processes aren’t working in the way Parliament expected.

A short 🧵….
October 22, 2025 at 10:32 AM
The government has launched the 'Pride in Place Programme' under which 339 deprived communities across the country will be entrusted with over £5bn of public funding.

Decisions will be made by local people, but what safeguards will be put in place?

lnkd.in/eKa9RtrS
September 26, 2025 at 11:32 AM
So far this is all I’ve seen - but it would be great for the region.
September 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Since 2012 only six Mayoral Development Corporations have been created - but that’s about to change with at least five about to be announced.

That includes one in Birmingham that’ll help realise Tom Brady’s stadium plans & another co-chaired by Steve Coogan.
September 22, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Reform fear Andy Burnham because he has a proven track record of growing the economy in Greater Manchester through astute investment.
September 9, 2025 at 7:40 PM
He’s shambolic, lacks integrity and has loyalty to nobody but himself - we knew all of that before the Boris files told us that he told us to obey Covid rules but waived them for his donors.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
September 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Subsidy Control law protects the UK’s economy from inappropriate subsidies.

This case shines a light on a problem impacting the effectiveness of the regime.

The issue can be fixed by allowing the CMA to proactively investigate matters where it has concerns over Subsidy Control compliance.

🧵/ End
July 29, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Councillors & the public are concerned.

However the Subsidy Control Act requires an ‘interested party’ to fund litigation to have a measure reviewed.

Interested parties will usually be competitors, but would a rival developer litigate when it may require approval from the Council in future?

5/6
July 29, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Likewise a subsidy for restructuring a business in difficulty would also have to meet requirements in the Subsidy Control Act 2022 to be considered lawful (including, in all probability, CMA referral).

4/6
July 29, 2025 at 11:17 AM
The Council argues the £60m grant should be seen as a commercial transaction so treated as “no subsidy”.

That’s surprising. If this “restructuring” of the existing debt was treated as subsidy it would have to be referred to the Competition and Markets Authority for review.

3/6
July 29, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Councillors & the public are concerned.

However the Subsidy Control Act requires an ‘interested party’ to fund litigation to have a measure reviewed.

Interested parties will usually be competitors, but would a rival developer litigate when it may require approval from the Council in future?

5/6
July 29, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Councillors & the public are concerned.

However the Subsidy Control Act requires an ‘interested party’ to fund litigation to have a measure reviewed.

Interested parties will usually be competitors, but will a rival developer ever litigate when they may need approval from the Council in future?
July 29, 2025 at 11:11 AM
The US needs better laws to regulate subsidies - the Washington stadium deal is yet another example of this.

A $1.1bn taxpayer subsidy has been offered to create a 65,000 stadium.

Contrast that with the UK or EU where Subsidy Control / State aid laws stop such wasteful public funding.
July 22, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Northern voters want greater devolution due to stories like this.

In 2021, Ministers in London secretly cancelled plans to dual part of the A1 in Northumberland & kept it from voters.

This was at a time when public funding for transport was £1,182 per Londoner but just £486 per Northerner.
July 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
The FIFA Club World Cup could be a source of embarrassment for the European Commission.

Qatari owned Paris St Germain are still under investigation under the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (although there are reports the European Commission is trying to quietly drop La Liga’s complaint).
July 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Airport subsidies are often challenged under EU State aid law.

The UK’s Subsidy Control regime is now being used to challenge an enormous £205m subsidy to Cardiff Airport.

An article on the case written with Jonathan Branton can be found at:

dwfgroup.com/en/news-and-... #News #SubsidyControl #Law
July 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Subsidy Control law aims to drive better decision making by public authorities when it comes to using taxpayer money to support businesses.

Therefore it’s pleasing to see this report stating the Treasury was blocked from offering an unlimited guarantee to the Post Office by the Subsidy Control Act.
June 25, 2025 at 11:28 AM
I’m lucky enough to have worked on a few projects involving the #Space sector.

Today I’m at the North East Space Conference 2025 to learn more about this fast growing part of the economy - estimated to be worth £1.45 trillion in ten years' time….

#SpaceTech #Innovation #NEFollowers
June 25, 2025 at 11:13 AM