Competition Reform Bill

CMA launches strategic market status investigation into Microsoft’s business software ecosystem

Why linked: First SMS investigation under DMCC (Microsoft business software ecosystem, May 2026) — live test of the regime the Bill extends.

CMA sets out scope of its investigation to determine whether Microsoft should be designated with strategic market status for its business software ecosystem.

UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement

Why linked: Ministerial statement on UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement 2026 - international competition framework

UIN: HLWS1368 My Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State for the Department of Business and Trade (Peter Kyle MP) has today made the following statement.I am pleased to announce that today in Brussels the United Kingdom and the European …

Business Secretary wants UK to go ‘toe to toe’ with America on growth

Why linked: Business Secretary speech (Jan 2026) framing the modern Industrial Strategy and competition for growth — directly relevant political framing.

In a speech to top business leaders the Business Secretary will lay out how the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy will double down on the UK’s world-leading strengths in 2026 and not only scale up businesses, but keep them anchored in …

CMA confirms Apple and Google have strategic market status in mobile platforms

Why linked: CMA strategic market status decisions affecting digital markets—within competition reform scope

Following extensive consultation, the CMA confirms proposed decisions.

CMA confirms Google has strategic market status in search services

Why linked: CMA strategic market status decision (Google search)—SMS regime implementation

Following extensive consultation, the CMA confirms proposed decision.

UK Newspapers: Foreign State Influence Regulations (Written Statement HCWS828, 16 July 2025)

Why linked: Written ministerial statement on merger control regulations—formal policy announcement

The Enterprise Act 2002 (Mergers Involving Newspaper Enterprises and Foreign Powers) Regulations 2025 will permit foreign state-owned investors (SOIs) to hold up to 15% of shares and voting rights in a UK newspaper enterprise.

CMA takes first steps to improve competition in search services in the UK

Why linked: CMA proposal to designate Google with SMS in search—digital markets enforcement

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is today proposing to designate Google with 'strategic market status' (SMS) in general search and search advertising.

Victims and Courts Act 2026 — Press notices: Victims and Courts Bill: call for evidence

Why linked: Bill catalogue press notice for the Victims and Courts Bill — only adjacent via litigation funding reform engagement, kept for completeness.

Competition watchdog gets green light for growth in latest move to back business

Why linked: Strategic Steer for CMA (May 2025) - growth-focused strategic direction document directly informing reform agenda

Businesses and consumers will benefit from new growth-focused Strategic Steer set for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), in the latest step of the government’s agenda to reform regulation to drive growth as part of the plan for change.

CMA to boost consumer and business confidence as new consumer protection regime comes into force

Why linked: CMA announcement on new consumer protection regime - implementation of enhanced CMA enforcement powers under competition reform

CMA now able to act more swiftly and directly to protect UK consumers and foster a level playing field for businesses to invest and grow.

CMA’s Annual Plan to drive growth by promoting competition, protecting consumers and enhancing business and investor confidence

Why linked: CMA Annual Plan 2025-26 directly contextualising the competition reform agenda and CMA strategic priorities

Ambitious 2025 to 2026 CMA programme will prioritise action to drive growth and investment whilst fulfilling its core purpose to promote competition and protect consumers.

CMA to investigate Apple and Google's mobile ecosystems

Why linked: CMA announcement of SMS investigations into Apple and Google—digital markets enforcement initiation

Investigations will determine if Apple and Google have strategic market status in their mobile ecosystems, including operating systems, app stores and mobile browsers.

The Competition and Markets Authority

Why linked: Ministerial statement on CMA (Jan 2025) by Business Secretary - government's current competition reform direction

UIN: HCWS380 This Government has a clear mission to drive economic growth and aim for the highest sustained growth in the G7. The Prime Minister has been clear that he expects regulators to play their part in delivering these ambitions.The …

The Competition and Markets Authority

Why linked: Ministerial statement on CMA (Jan 2025) by Secretary of State for Business and Trade - current policy direction

UIN: HLWS376 My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business and Trade (Jonathan Reynolds MP) has today made the following statement.This Government has a clear mission to drive economic growth and aim for the highest sustained growth in …

CMA to investigate Google’s search services

Why linked: CMA announcement of SMS investigation into Google search—digital markets enforcement

Investigation to determine if Google has strategic market status in search and search advertising activities and whether these services are delivering good outcomes for people and businesses in the UK.

CMA sets out initial plans as new digital markets competition regime comes into force

Why linked: CMA news release setting out initial plans as the new digital markets competition regime came into force — material context for the SMS launch sequence.

CMA expects to launch strategic market status investigations in 3 areas of digital activity over first 6 months.

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act subscriptions implementation consultation

Why linked: Parliamentary announcement on Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act subscriptions implementation consultation - implementing guidance for competition reform

UIN: HLWS227 My Hon Friend the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets (Justin Madders MP) hastoday made the following statement.The Department for Business and Trade has today published a consultation called ‘Consultation on the Implementation of the ...

New UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement

Why linked: Government announcement on UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement - international competition cooperation framework directly within scope

UK Government and the European Union have formally concluded technical negotiations on the UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement.

Implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act

Why linked: Ministerial statement on implementation of Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 - implementation context

UIN: HCWS74 The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (the Act) received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024. The Act will make significant changes to the UK’s competition and consumer landscape that will protect small businesses, save consumers money, boost …

Written Ministerial Statement: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 – implementation plans

Why linked: Written Ministerial Statement on Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 implementation plans

The Government aims to commence Parts 1, 2 and 5 of the Act in December 2024 or January 2025. In April 2025, the Government expects to commence Part 3 of the Act, which provides for the consumer enforcement regimes.

Implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act

Why linked: Implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (Sept 2024) - ministerial statement on Act implementation

UIN: HLWS74 My Honourable Friend the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets (Justin Madders MP) has today made the following statement.The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (the Act) received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024. The Act will …

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 consultation on turnover and control regulations

Why linked: Parliamentary announcement on DMCCA 2024 consultation on turnover and control regulations - implementation guidance for competition reform legislation

UIN: HCWS44 On 30 July 2024 the Department for Business and Trade has published a consultation entitled ‘DMCCA 2024: consultation on turnover and control regulations’. The consultation will be open for a six-week period and the Government will publish its …

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 consultation on turnover and control regulations

Why linked: Ministerial statement on Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 consultation on turnover and control regulations - implementation guidance

UIN: HLWS45 My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Department for Business and Trade has today made the following statement.On 30 July 2024 the Department for Business and Trade has published a consultation entitled ‘DMCCA 2024: consultation on …

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act receives Royal Assent

Why linked: Royal Assent news announcement for DMCC Act (May 2024) — foundational milestone for the regime.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act has become law after receiving Royal Assent.

Education software firm probed over potential abuse of dominance

Why linked: CMA investigation into abuse of dominance—Competition Act 1998 enforcement

The CMA is investigating whether ESS has broken the law by taking action to prevent schools from switching to a new management information system provider.

CMA wins second legal challenge in Cérélia/Jus-Rol case

Why linked: Cérélia/Jus-Rol merger control jurisprudence (Apr 2024) — relevant merger appeal.

The Court of Appeal has fully dismissed a legal challenge from Cérélia, and upheld the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s finding that the CMA was ‘rational and fair’ in its merger review.

New members appointed to Competition Appeal Tribunal’s panel of Ordinary Members

Why linked: CAT appointments announcement - relevant to Competition Appeal Tribunal which is listed responsible body for Competition Reform Bill

The Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Mr Kevin Hollinrake MP, has appointed seven new members to the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s panel of Ordinary Members.

CMA builds on plan to support people, businesses and UK economy

Why linked: CMA announcement on areas of focus 2024-25 - strategic direction for competition enforcement relevant to reform context

The CMA is inviting views on its areas of focus for 2024 to 2025.

Ensuring effective competition in digital markets, for people, businesses and the economy

Why linked: Joint statement from CMA Chair and CEO on digital markets (Apr 2023) — direct DMCC Bill commentary.

A statement on mergers and digital markets from Marcus Bokkerink, Chair, and Sarah Cardell, CEO, CMA.

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Why linked: Government announcement introducing Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - the direct predecessor/related reform bill to Competition Reform Bill, core competition law modernisation

UIN: HCWS737 Today, the Government is introducing the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill. The Bill will drive growth, innovation and productivity, ensuring that businesses and consumers in the UK reap the benefits of competitive markets. The Bill will:boo...

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Why linked: Ministerial statement on Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill - formal government position on competition reform

UIN: HLWS727 My Hon Friend the Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business (Kevin Hollinrake MP) has today made the following statement.Today, the Government is introducing the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill. The Bill will drive growth, innova...

New Bill to crack down on rip-offs, protect consumer cash online and boost competition in digital markets

Why linked: CMA announcement on new Bill to crack down on rip-offs and boost competition in digital markets (April 2023)

New powers unveiled aimed at boosting competition, clamping down on subscription traps and fake reviews

New bill to stamp out unfair practices and promote competition in digital markets

Why linked: CMA welcomes draft legislation enhancing competition and consumer protection powers (April 2023)

The CMA welcomes draft legislation enhancing its ability to promote competition and protect consumers, including new powers for its Digital Markets Unit.

Outcomes for people, businesses and UK economy at heart of new CMA strategy

Why linked: 2022 CMA strategy announcement on priorities—contextual document showing CMA strategic direction underpinning enforcement reform

The UK’s competition and consumer authority consults on priorities for the next 3 years.

Consultation Response: a new pro-competition regime for digital markets

Why linked: Consultation response on new pro-competition regime for digital markets 2022 - government response to pre-legislative consultation

UIN: HCWS5 This is a joint statement with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.Last week, we published the response to the consultation on a new pro-competition regime for digital markets. As we move to build back …

Consultation Response: a new pro-competition regime for digital markets

Why linked: Consultation response on new pro-competition regime for digital markets 2022 - government response to pre-legislative consultation

UIN: HLWS4 I am repeating the following Written Ministerial Statement made today in the other place by my Right Honourable Friend, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dorries MP:This is a joint statement with the …

CMA publishes second state of competition report

Why linked: 2022 CMA second state of competition report—ongoing evidence base for reform assessment

The CMA has published its second assessment of how well competition is working in the UK and what that means for people and businesses.

Reforming Competition and Consumer Policy

Why linked: Government response to 'Reforming Competition and Consumer Policy' consultation (April 2022) - foundational policy response document

UIN: HCWS775 I wish to inform the House that the Government has today published its response to the consultation ‘Reforming Competition and Consumer Policy – Driving growth and delivering competitive markets that work for consumers’, which was published in July …

Government unveils proposals to increase competition in UK digital economy

Why linked: Government announcement on proposals to increase competition in UK digital economy - foundational policy statement

Digital firms with deep-rooted market power to be subject to mandatory code to drive up competition

A new pro-competition regime for Digital Markets

Why linked: Ministerial statement on new pro-competition regime for Digital Markets 2021 - foundational policy announcement

UIN: HCWS218 Following the announcement of my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy today, I would like to further update the House on the consultation on “A New Pro-Competition Regime for Digital Markets”.The …

A new pro-competition regime for Digital Markets

Why linked: Ministerial statement on new pro-competition regime for Digital Markets 2021 - foundational policy announcement

UIN: HLWS214 My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, The Rt. Hon. Oliver Dowden CBE MP, has made the following Statement:Following the announcement of my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State for …

Independent report: John Penrose MP publishes proposals to strengthen UK’s competition regime

Why linked: John Penrose MP publishes proposals to strengthen UK competition regime (Feb 2021)

In September 2020, Mr Penrose was invited by the government to conduct an independent review of UK competition policy.

CMA reports on the state of competition in the UK

Why linked: 2020 CMA report on state of competition across UK economy—foundational evidence for competition reform case

The CMA has issued a first-of-its-kind analysis examining how well competition is working across the UK economy.

Business Update

Why linked: Business Update WMS HCWS443 on subsidy control regime to replace EU State Aid (Sep 2020) — adjacent regime context.

UIN: HCWS443 I am today updating Parliament on the Government’s plans for a subsidy control regime to replace the EU State aid rules at the end of the transition period on 31 December this year. From 1 January, the Government …