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PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Three and Vodafone Group: Mergers (22 May 2023)

Question Asked

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential risk to national security from a merger between Three and Vodafone.

Asked by:
Navendu Mishra (Labour)

Answer

In October 2022, Vodafone and Three announced that they were in talks to merge their UK businesses. As an open economy, we welcome investment where it supports UK growth and jobs, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. We will not hesitate to use our powers, under the National Security and Investment Act, to protect national security if we identify concerns.

On 16 May, Vodafone Group, which operates across 21 countries, announced its annual financial results and strategy to improve performance. The strategy focuses on improving customer experience, growth and simplifying Group structures. Any redundancies as part of this process are a commercial decision for Vodafone Group.


Answered by:
Sir John Whittingdale (Conservative)
25 May 2023

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