The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that it has secured a High Court–endorsed settlement from Emma Sleep after the company admitted to breaching consumer law. The CMA stated that Emma Sleep employed misleading countdown timers, false high demand claims and deceptive discount offers. Under binding undertakings, the company must cease these practices, ensure that all future website claims are clear and accurate, and refrain from advertising limited time offers if similar deals persist after the stated deadline. Additionally, Emma Sleep is required to implement group-wide compliance measures, including regular monitoring and periodic reporting to the CMA. The High Court will determine in June 2026 if the company’s ‘was/now’ pricing also breached consumer law.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced a Phase 1 merger inquiry into Roche Diagnostics Ltd's acquisition of point-of-care testing technology held by London-based LumiraDx Group Ltd and LumiraDx International Ltd, both of which are in administration. Lumira offers multiple point-of-care tests on one portable device and offers Roche a wide range of immunoassay and clinical chemistry tests. Roche intends to add the point-of-care testing system to its diagnostics portfolio. The deal was announced on 29 December 2023 and the CMA announced its merger inquiry on 23 May 2024. The deadline for the CMA to announce its decision whether to refer the merger for a Phase 2 investigation is 19 July 2024.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced its Phase One decision in the Spreadex and Sporting Index merger inquiry that it launched in February 2024. The CMA found that the deal may have created a monopoly by removing the only other licensed UK sports spread betting provider. As part of the investigation, Spreadex and Sporting Index suggested they would be constrained by fixed odds betting providers after the merger, but the CMA has not received sufficient evidence to support this. The CMA believes the merger could substantially lessen competition in the supply of licensed online sports spread betting services in the UK. Without a competitor, the incentive for Spreadex to offer competitive odds for customers could be lost. Both Spreadex and Sporting Index now have five working days to respond with meaningful solutions to the CMA, otherwise the deal will be referred to a more in-depth Phase two investigation.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)'s Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has accepted a request from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to prepare a report on the proposed Dispatchable Power Agreement (DPA) Business Model subsidy scheme. The DPA Business Model subsidy scheme aims to incentivise natural gas-powered facilities to utilise carbon capture technology. The SAU’s report will evaluate DESNZ's assessment of whether the scheme is compliant with subsidy control requirements, and is due to be published on 1 August 2024. The SAU is inviting comments on matters relevant to this report until 5pm on 4 July 2024.

The Competition and Market Authority (CMA) has announced that on 4 October 2024 the Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) accepted a request for a report providing advice to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in relation to its proposed subsidy to BioNTech UK Limited. The SAU will compile an evaluation report on DSIT’s assessment of whether the subsidy complies with the subsidy control requirements. The report is expected to be published on 14 November 2024.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that heating oil suppliers under review have agreed to compensate customers whose orders were cancelled when prices increased following the conflict in the Middle East. Customers who bought replacement oil at a higher price will receive the difference between the original and replacement prices, while those who did not buy replacement oil will have their original orders fulfilled at the agreed price. The CMA estimates that replacement oil may have cost customers between £150 and £350 more. Around 800 customers have already been notified, and those claiming compensation will need to provide evidence of their replacement order. The CMA will continue working with suppliers to finalise the compensation arrangements.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has announced that it has concluded its market investigation into UK veterinary services and has set out reform measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate and more responsive to pet owners’ needs. Key measures imposed for veterinary businesses include mandatory publication of price lists, clearer disclosure of group ownership, written estimates for treatments costing £500 or more, caps on prescription fees and stronger requirements around impartial clinical advice. The CMA also expressed support for the government’s proposed legislative reforms to bring veterinary businesses under independent regulatory oversight. The CMA has six months to implement these remedies through legally binding orders or undertakings, which will take effect by 23 September 2026.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has decided to clear the proposed acquisition by Roche Diagnostics Limited of specific entities that were held by LumiraDx Group Limited and LumiraDx International Limited (both are now in administration). The CMA is expected to publish the full text of its decision soon.

The CMA has announced a package of actions under the Digital Markets Competition Regime addressing competition concerns in cloud services and business software. In particular:

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its annual plan for 2025-26, outlining how it will implement its new powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, SI 2024/1243. It outlines how the CMA will use its new powers to enhance consumer confidence by supporting business compliance and addressing poor corporate practices, as well as ensuring fair competition and returning money to consumers. The plan reflects the government's draft strategic steer emphasising economic growth while maintaining the CMA's core competition and consumer protection functions.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has today announced three new senior appointments. Jessica Lennard has been appointed to the role of Chief Strategy & External Affairs Officer, Jennie Halliday has been appointed as Senior Director for Advocacy & External Engagement and Karen Croxson will join the CMA as the new Chief Data & Technology Insights Officer.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has now started its review into loyalty pricing by supermarkets, after announcing its plans to begin this review on 30 January 2024. The CMA has begun its engagement with supermarkets and will consider issues including misleading aspects of loyalty pricing, any groups of shoppers disadvantaged by this type of promotional tactic and how this impacts the competition within supermarkets. The CMA provide an update in July 2024.