Government's strategic steer to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)

For each Parliament, government issues a non-binding strategic steer to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The steer is intended to support the CMA in achieving its objectives and delivering real benefits for UK consumers and the UK economy.

We asked for views on a new government steer as part of the Modernising consumer markets Consumer green paper consultation.

Following that consultation, we have updated the steer to:

• promote productivity and remove unnecessary burdens on business and consumers
• encourage the CMA to use their consumer protection and enforcement powers
• emphasise the CMA’s role in making recommendations to and challenging government in the interests of competition and consumers
• reflect modern markets, the digital economy and our industrial strategy and
• recognise the important role of the CMA after the UK leaves the European Union.

Read the related speech on competition rules.