Regulators call on airlines to comply with consumer law if they want to avoid enforcement July 21, 2022 The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have warned airlines they could face enforcement action if they fail to comply with consumer law. In a joint letter sent to carriers today, the regulators said they were concerned about consumers experiencing harm “unless airlines meet their obligations” and “minimise flight disruption [...]
Before giving the CMA more teeth, we should look at its Meta shaped bite marks June 16, 2022 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been flexing its muscles like a growing schoolboy recently. On Tuesday, it finally got a well-deserved admonishment from the Competition Appeals Tribunal after an appeal by Meta – the company formerly known as Facebook – against the watchdog’s decision to stop it buying Giphy, a provider of moving [...]
Watchdog approves £222m takeover of Hawthorn pubs by Admiral Taverns October 27, 2021 Admiral Tavern’s £222m acquisition of almost 700 pubs has been given the green light by the competition watchdog. However, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Admiral Taverns and Hawthorn Leisure must tackle competition concerns in several local areas. The community pub operator said it understood the merger gives rise to a realistic prospect of [...]
FCA investigates ‘crippling’ cladding insurance costs January 29, 2022 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is launching an investigation into the ‘crippling’ insurance costs paid by residents with cladding issues. In letters sent today to chief executives of insurance firms, the City watchdog said it will be investigating whether “products provide fair value and premiums fairly and accurately reflect risk.” The FCA will look into [...]
Competition concerns: Morrisons’ takeover of McColl’s probed by CMA May 30, 2022 The competition watchdog is probing Morrisons’ takeover of beleaguered newsagent operator McColl’s, it has been confirmed. The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Monday it had launched an inquiry to investigate whether the takeover will impact competition in the UK, with an initial enforcement order. The two businesses will be instructed to compete as [...]
Petrol prices spike to record highs despite falling wholesale costs for retailers June 27, 2022 Petrol prices broke records again this weekend, despite falling wholesale costs and a slump across the two major oil benchmarks.
Konecranes and Cargotec spike merger after UK watchdog blocks deal March 29, 2022 Cranes manufacturer Konecranes and cargo machinery firm Cargotec have spiked their upcoming merger following intervention from the UK’s competition watchdog. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked the deal, on the basis that the Finnish duo selling off all overlapping businesses would fail to address the regulator’s concerns. The deal, announced at the beginning of [...]
Watchdog CMA zooms in on mobile ecosystem dominance: ‘Apple and Google hold all the cards’ June 10, 2022 The UK’s competition watchdog said today it is planning to launch an investigation into the “effective duopoly” that Apple and Google hold over the mobile ecosystem. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it was consulting on the launch of a market investigation into the power of the two firms following its publication of a [...]
JD Sports’ chair steps down after City watchdog fine for covert car park meeting May 25, 2022 JD Sports’ executive chairman Peter Cowgill is to step down from his role with immediate effect, the sportswear brand has announced. The London-listed retailer said it had opted to accelerate a separation of the roles of chair and chief executive. Cowgill’s departure follows JD Sports and its rival Footasylum being slapped with fine worth almost [...]
JD Sports appears to relinquish Footasylum in takeover battle with watchdog December 12, 2021 Footwear firm JD Sports seems likely to admit defeat in its clash with the country’s competition watchdog over its proposed takeover of a rival. JD Sports had been looking to buy rival footwear retailer Footasylum but has faced multiple obstacles from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). After a decision from the watchdog, JD was [...]