Competition and Markets Authority

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has handed down its judgment in respect of #construction firm Keltbray’s appeal in our supply of construction services investigation. The CAT disposed of the appeal, and increased the penalty payable by Keltbray from £16 million to £18 million. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHrZe97i

We’ve found that #Synopsys’ proposed $35 billion purchase of #Ansys could reduce competition in the supply of certain #semiconductor chip design and light simulation products in the UK. Semiconductor chips are crucial components in technologies such as smartphones and laptops, and light simulation software is used for a wide range of light-related products including camera lenses, TV displays, car headlights and lasers. We believe the merger could reduce choice for customers – which tend to be major companies that operate globally and, in the UK, that rely on these software products. This could lead to a loss of innovation, lower quality software and/or higher prices which may then be passed onto UK businesses and consumers. The companies now have the opportunity to submit proposals to address our concerns. If suitable proposals are not submitted, we will progress to an in-depth investigation. #Mergers #MergersAndAquisitions

We’re recruiting a Chief People Officer and a Senior Director of Communications. Full details for both of these roles can be found on Civil Service Jobs. Chief People Officer: https://lnkd.in/esS6WvRD Senior Director of Communications: https://lnkd.in/eyKMzZ83

The digital markets competition regime will launch on 1 January 2025. In advance of this, and having now received approval from the Secretary of State, we’ve published our final guidance for the new digital markets competition regime. The guidance covers how the CMA will operate the regime in an open, transparent, proportionate and predictable way – moving at pace whilst ensuring a fair process. This regime will unlock opportunities for enhanced innovation, investment and growth across the UK tech sector and will enable people and businesses across the UK, who depend on critical digital markets to access or offer important goods and services, to get a fair deal. The CMA is grateful to everyone who took the time to contribute through our consultation. Read the guidance: https://lnkd.in/gFTcFtcH

In 2014, reforms were introduced to enhance the competition concurrency arrangements, through which we work with sector regulators on our shared competition powers. Today we’ve published a 10 year review of the concurrency arrangements. The concurrency arrangements cover the regulated sectors that are critical for people, businesses and the economy such as: - energy - insurance - broadband - trains Effective competition in these sectors can drive firms to meet their customers’ needs, charge lower prices, operate more efficiently, invest and innovate. Overall, we conclude that sharing powers under concurrency has some key advantages, but we’ve also identified areas where there is room for improvement. Read the review: https://lnkd.in/gZcVPNpQ

I recently spoke with Chatham House Events about how the CMA is continuing to evolve whilst staying true to our mandate from Parliament. One area I highlighted is our approach to merger remedies – here’s what I said:

“Competition is an absolutely critical driver of investment, innovation and growth” 📹 Sarah Cardell, discusses the impact competition has on investment at the Financial Times #AI Summit.

Earlier this week, we announced the next steps in our investigation into whether Vifor Pharma made misleading claims to healthcare professionals about the safety of Pharmacosmos’ Monofer, a rival intravenous iron deficiency treatment to Vifor’s Ferinject.    Watch the video below for details on the case and the commitments Vifor has proposed to address it.    You can also find out more here: https://lnkd.in/ez9vJKXk

#InfluencerMarketing 101 – Here’s a scenario for you. You’ve just posted a review to social media on a product you’ve been paid to promote.

Podcast – Accountability in #AI: the role of competition and consumer protection   Listen in as Jessica Lennard discusses with Kevin Werbach, the CMA’s role in in promoting innovation and growth in AI, as well as unlocking investment and opportunities for all through the UK’s incoming digital markets competition regime. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/edSuB6Vi With thanks to Kevin and The Wharton School for hosting!   #ArtificalIntelligence