Open banking enters ‘new phase’ after CMA rules six major banks fulfil requirements January 12, 2023 Open banking has entered a “new phase” after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) determined that the six largest banks in the UK have implemented the requirements of the open banking roadmap. The open banking trustee advised the CMA on Monday that Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide, NatWest and Santander had implemented the remaining roadmap items. [...]
Former Google exec Gill Whitehead named Ofcom lead for online safety November 30, 2022 A former Google executive will be joining Ofcom to oversee its new duties as the regulator for online safety. Gill Whitehead will head up the media watchdog’s Online Safety Group from April 2023, reporting to chief exec Dame Melanie Dawes. Whitehead currently leads the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF) which oversees the digital expertise of four member regulators: the [...]
Is Google a monopoly? Sort of, but that’s the free market August 20, 2024 How about a little trust in the dynamism of the free market? Writes Matthew Feeney
Supermarkets hike prices to make loyalty card customers feel like they are getting a discount, new study claims September 15, 2023 Supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s could be hiking their ‘regular’ prices to make loyalty scheme customers feel they are getting a discount, according to a new report by Which. The consumer choice group analysed 141 Clubcard and Nectar card prices at Tesco and Sainsbury’s and tracked their pricing history back six months. According to [...]
Andrew Tyrie: How greater competition could spur productivity growth April 25, 2024 "The UK government does not have a framework in place for monitoring levels of competition in the economy that’s fit for purpose," Lord Tyrie said. "It badly needs one".
Asda and EG Group £12bn merger would risk jobs and food supplies, union warns April 27, 2023 A union representing workers at Asda has said a potential merger of the supermarket with EG Group’s UK petrol stations could risk jobs, food supplies and monopolise petrol stations across the UK. The GMB Union wrote to Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch urging her to call in the competition regulator to investigate the possible multibillion pound [...]
Fuel price warning if Asda forecourt mega-merger goes ahead January 23, 2023 A MOOTED merger between Asda and its owners’ separate forecourt business could lead to significantly higher fuel prices, a campaign group has warned. The billionaires – who bought Asda in 2020 for £6.8bn – are reportedly plotting to merge the supermarket chain with their forecourt business EG Group. The merger could create a new company [...]
Payally boss: Big Tech crackdown will kill London startups September 13, 2023 The UK needs to “loosen its grip” on Big Tech and steer away from copying the EU’s tough approach to the sector, the founder payments firm Payally has warned. “We need to be attracting big tech to London, not discouraging it,” Rafal Andzejevski told City A.M. “For right or for wrong, we left the EU, [...]
Heathrow narrows losses but blames CAA price cap for staying in the red July 26, 2023 Heathrow Airport said on Wednesday it remained loss making in the first half of 2023 despite soaring passenger figures, blaming a cap on the amount it can charge airlines for using the hub. For the six months to June, the west-London hub saw adjusted pre-tax losses halve to £139m but said that the airport “remains [...]
Competition and Markets Authority approves £1.4bn Unite Students acquisition of Liberty Living November 6, 2019 The UK competition watchdog has approved the £1.4bn acquisition of student accommodation provider Liberty Living by rival firm Unite Students. The Competition and Markets Authority announced today that it has decided not to escalate its investigation into the merger to a stage two inquiry after seeking comment from interested parties on whether the take over [...]