Oliver Dowden – 2024 Statement on Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC

The statement made by Oliver Dowden, the Deputy Prime Minister, on 26 January 2024.

The UK Government has approved the Strategic Relationship Agreement between Vodafone and e&. Using the National Security & Investment Act it has put in place proportionate measures to address any potential national security concerns.

The UK is rightly a magnet for global investment and, in this spirit, the Act is entirely country-agnostic.

Where investment might impact the UK’s national security – for example through the acquisition of certain technologies or infrastructure – we will work with investment partners to minimise any risk. As part of our Critical National Infrastructure, telecoms is one such sector. Vodafone is also a particularly important company for the UK Government given its critical functions, including as a key partner in HMG’s Cyber Security Strategy.