Press Release: State aid: Commission authorises UK to grant a £60 million repayable advance for R&D activities by GKN

The European Commission authorised, under EC Treaty state aid rules, aid (€68.55 million) from the UK in favour of GKN for an R&D project to develop aircraft wing components. The aid was in the form of a £60 million repayable loan to be reimbursed with interest by means of a levy on future sales. The Commission concluded that the aid was compatible with the EU Framework for state aid for research and development and innovation. In particular, the aid was limited to the minimum necessary to implement the project and has only a limited impact on competition.