Competition watchdog to probe Covid-19 vaccine maker AstraZeneca over £27.5bn US drug deal May 25, 2021 The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will probe Covid-19 vaccine maker AstraZeneca's £27.5bn megadeal to buy a US drug company.
Whitehall launches investigation into ‘profiteering’ by energy firms November 6, 2022 Whitehall officials have launched a probe into alleged profiteering by energy firms, with claims they are not passing on the benefits of recent government interventions. The government last month launched a six-month energy price cap for businesses to help them survive the continued increases in global energy prices. The Sunday Times reports that the Department [...]
Mitie snaps up telecoms tower design house P2ML amid competition probe April 1, 2022 Mitie has snapped up a telecoms tower design house for £2.1m. It has acquired P2ML, which provides construction and maintenance services for cellular telecoms infrastructure. The strategic outsourcing firm is being probed by the competition watchdog for its reported relationship with US company PAE, in trying to get contracts for immigration removal centres (IRC). The [...]
UK’s tech regulator backtrack sparks mixed reactions across the City May 3, 2022 Reports that the government has backtracked on strengthening the role of the UK’s tech regulator has sparked mixed reviews from the City today.
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 [...]
Morrisons’ private equity owner clears final regulatory hurdle for £7bn supermarket sweep June 9, 2022 The competition watchdog has given the green light to Morrisons’ private equity owner, meaning the deal has now cleared regulatory checks. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had provisionally accepted Clayton, Dubilier & Rice’s offer to sell 87 petrol stations in order to address competition concerns. Now, the watchdog said it has accepted the undertakings [...]
Independent music companies continue to call on competition watchdog to address streaming platforms January 5, 2022 Independent music companies are calling on the competition watchdog to look into streaming platforms renumeration structures as pressure begins to mount on the industry.
BA’s owner IAG could face investigation over Air Europa’s takeover November 22, 2021 British Airways’s owner IAG could face a formal investigation by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over the proposed takeover of Spanish carrier Air Europa. The watchdog announced today that it is “considering whether this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation” that could lead to [...]
UK should resist ‘over-regulating AI’: Founder of British tech start-up hailed by Sunak as ‘revolutionary’ February 12, 2024 The founder of a fast growing British tech startup, RobinAI, has said he believes the UK should resist over-regulating AI.