CMA Proposes to Accept Remedies in Care Home Deal
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is set to accept remedies offered by US‑based REIT Welltower after its purchase of more than 600 care‑home properties raised competition concerns in 30 local areas across England and Scotland. The acquisition, completed in October 2025, involved assets from Barchester Healthcare, HC‑One, Aria Care and Danforth Care, with new operators such as Care UK and Apex Healthcare taking over day‑to‑day management. To address the CMA’s worries about potential price hikes and service quality declines, Welltower proposes to sell certain properties and reallocate others to different operators. The CMA believes these steps could resolve the issues and allow the deal to clear.
CMA Recommends Overhaul of Road and Rail Procurement to Cut Costs and Drive Economic Growth Through Infrastructure Investment
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) released a market study on UK road and rail infrastructure, warning that a fragmented, short‑term procurement approach is inflating costs by up to £5 billion ($6.3 billion) a year. The report, based on 11 months of...
Independent Report: Report on the Proposed Subsidy to ITM Power UK Ltd by the Department for Energy Security and Net...
Britain’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has proposed a subsidy for ITM Power UK Ltd, a leading electrolyzer manufacturer. The Subsidy Assessment Unit (SAU) published a 19‑page report evaluating whether the proposal complies with the Subsidy Control...
Investigation Into Suspected Anti-Competitive Conduct by Google in Ad Tech
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened a Chapter II investigation in May 2022 into Google’s dominance across the ad‑tech stack, alleging the company favours its own services in online display advertising. In September 2024 the CMA issued a statement...
Independent Report: Report on the Proposed Bus Network Support Grant Subsidy Scheme by West Midlands Combined Authority
The Subsidy Audit Unit (SAU) has released its final report advising the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) on the proposed Bus Network Support Grant (BNSG) subsidy scheme. The report evaluates WMCA’s assessment of the scheme’s compliance with the Subsidy Control...
Spreadex / Sporting Index Merger Inquiry
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened a merger inquiry in February 2024 into Spreadex’s acquisition of Sporting Index’s B2C business, citing potential competition harms. After a Phase 1 decision in April 2024, the probe entered Phase 2, with provisional findings released in...
Independent Report: Report on the Proposed Subsidy to Center Parcs Scotland Limited by South of Scotland Enterprise
The Subsidy Audit Unit (SAU) released a 18‑page report evaluating South of Scotland Enterprise’s (SOSE) proposed financial support for Center Parcs Scotland Limited. The assessment focuses on whether the subsidy complies with the UK’s Subsidy Control Act 2022, which governs public‑funded...
Correspondence: CMA Advice to Defra on Reform of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued formal advice to the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) on its proposed overhaul of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966. The advice draws on the CMA’s recent veterinary services market...
Corporate Report: Mergers Orders and Undertakings Register
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) maintains a public register of merger orders and undertakings under the Enterprise Act 2002 and the Fair Trading Act 1973. First published on 31 March 2014, the register lists remedies in force, lapsed or released measures, and...
CMA Publishes Latest Monitoring Report on Road Fuel Market
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reported that average fuel retailer margins in the UK held steady at roughly 10.5 pence per litre in March, despite a sharp price surge driven by the Middle East crisis – petrol up 26 pence/L and...
Research: Enhanced Road Fuel Monitoring Report: May 2026
Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority released its May 2026 road‑fuel monitoring update, examining how the ongoing Middle East conflict has influenced UK pump prices, retail spreads and margins. The report covers data from late February through April 2026, comparing supermarket...
Transparency Data: CMA: Workforce Management Information March 2026
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its March 2026 workforce management data on 30 April, detailing headcount and payroll costs for both payroll and non‑payroll staff. The figures are part of the CMA’s monthly transparency regime and will be subject to...
Final Recommendation that the Secretary of State Replace the Assimilated Technology Transfer Block Exemption
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued its final recommendation that the Secretary of State replace the Assimilated Technology Transfer Block Exemption Regulation (TTBER) with a new UK‑specific block exemption order when the current regime expires on 30 April 2026. The...
Application of the Chapter I Prohibition in the Competition Act 1998 to Technology Transfer Agreements
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened a public consultation on draft guidance that clarifies how the Chapter I prohibition of the Competition Act 1998 applies to technology transfer agreements. The guidance aims to help businesses assess whether licensing, joint‑development...
Review of the Interaction Between the Market Access Principles and England’s Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) Regulations 2020
The Competition and Markets Authority’s Office of the Competition (OIM) has launched a joint review, commissioned by Defra, the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish governments, into how the Market Access Principles affect the UK internal market for manufactured solid fuels...