Policy background Sanctions Measures
The UK currently implements over 35 sanctions regimes via regulations made under the Sanctions Act. Individuals and entities may be designated under these regulations for the purposes of an asset freeze, a travel ban, or other measures.
	Making designations is an administrative process. The amendments are intended to enable designations to be made more quickly and increase coordination with the UK’s allies. The amendments will remove the statutory test of ‘appropriateness’ in designating individuals and entities, which is intended to speed up the making of designations. The amendments will remove constraints around designation by description, which is intended to ensure the Government can designate groups of individuals more quickly, providing the Government with maximum flexibility. The amendments are also intended to ensure the UK can mirror the listings already adopted by allies, via an urgent designation procedure, enabling Ministers to swiftly designate individuals, entities and categories of persons designated by the UK’s international partners.
	The amendments will only permit the payment of damages in connection with designations in cases of bad faith, removing the possibility of damages for negligence. The Act also provides a power to impose a cap on damages for actions under the Sanctions Act. These provisions in respect of damages will apply to any proceedings issued after 4 March, when the amendments were tabled, even if these proceedings relate to designations made previously.
	The way in which sanctions designations and regulations are reviewed will be reformed. Obligations on reporting will be removed to allow Ministers and officials to focus efforts on targeting those who could harm the national interest.