CMA to probe S&P Global’s £33bn takeover of IHS August 23, 2021 The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has just announced the launch of an inquiry into S&P Global’s £33bn takeover of IHS Markit Ltd. The CMA gave notice today that it plans to investigate the anticipated merger between credit ratings giant S&P Global and IHS Markit. The deadline for its decision on whether the merger is [...]
Sajid Javid calls for CMA investigation into ‘exploitative’ PCR test costs August 8, 2021 Sajid Javid has asked the UK’s competition watchdog to investigate PCR Covid test firms that are selling tests at “excessive” prices and engaging in “exploitative practices”. The health secretary wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to call for a “high-level review” in a bid to protect holidaymakers requiring private PCR tests before and [...]
Sunak says investors have nothing to fear over tougher tech M&A regulation September 15, 2021 Chancellor Rishi Sunak said proposals from the UK’s competition watchdog for tougher scrutiny of M&A deals in the startup industry are reasonable and not intended to discourage early investors in UK tech companies. “I don’t think people need to be that anxious about it,” he told reporters at a tech event in London. “No one [...]
CMA orders Taylor Wimpey and Countryside to remove ground rents in rental contracts March 19, 2021 The Competition and Markets Authority said this morning it has instructed homebuilders Taylor Wimpey and Countryside Properties to remove certain contract terms that require leaseholders to pay ground rents which double every decade. The CMA said these terms could affect the property rights of the firms’ customers. Moreover, “as this increase is built into contracts, it means [...]
CMA investigates publisher Penguin’s $2.2bn takeover of Simon & Schuster March 22, 2021 The competition watchdog is investigating if the $2.18bn takeover of Simon & Schuster by publisher Penguin Random House may hurt competition. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has until 19 May to decide whether to refer the merger to a more in-depth ‘phase two’ investigation, A spokesperson for Penguin Random House said: “We announced last November that Penguin Random [...]
Open banking’s ‘spaghetti soup’ of regulators needs streamlining, says boss February 24, 2022 The boss of the UK’s open banking body has called for the “spaghetti soup” of regulators overseeing the technology to be streamlined, as fintech firms increasingly push to accelerate its roll out.
Boris Johnson to force all new UK buildings to install EV charging points November 21, 2021 Owners of newly built homes and commercial buildings will be forced to install electric vehicle charging points from next year under new regulations to be announced by Boris Johnson tomorrow. The new regulations, which Downing Street says will lead to 145,000 extra charge points installed across England each year, will also extend to properties “undergoing [...]
Leaseholder victory: Countryside to remove ground rent doubling terms after CMA action September 15, 2021 Developer Countryside Properties has struck out terms meaning ground rents double every 10 to 15 years, after a watchdog’s instruction Leaseholders’ ground rents will stay at the amount charged when they first bought their home, following action by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Big Four developer has voluntarily given formal commitment to removing [...]
CMA clears Issa brothers’ Asda takeover after accepting petrol station sale June 16, 2021 The UK’s competition authority has today cleared the way for the Issa brothers’ £6.8bn takeover of supermarket Asda after accepting their offer to sell off 27 petrol stations. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had launched a probe into the deal in April due to fears that acquisition could increase petrol prices for motorists. The [...]
CMA Chief exec: Crack downs on tech monopolies will safeguard London’s competitive edge October 21, 2021 Effective competition is the lifeblood of a thriving economy. The chance to succeed with hard work and a good idea is a source of hope, and opportunity to entrepreneurs everywhere. While monopolies stifle innovation and focus on protecting their existing profits, competition leads to vibrancy and new ideas. Ensuring digital markets are competitive is a [...]