Latest news with #CompetitionMarketsAuthority
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Competition watchdog to investigate takeover of NHS landlord Assura
The UK competition watchdog has said it is investigating the proposed takeover of NHS landlord Assura. Last month, rival healthcare property firm PHP (Primary Health Properties) put forward a fourth takeover offer for Assura worth £1.79 billion following a lengthy bidding war. PHP had previously laid down a £1.68 billion bid in May but was outbid by a rival suitor, with a consortium led by US private equity firm KKR valuing the business at £1.7 billion. Bosses at Assura backed the £1.79 billion deal, suggesting the increased scale of the combined business would benefit shareholders of both companies. On Friday, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it is now 'investigating' the deal to gather information and could launch a formal phase one investigation. It said the companies and others potentially impacted by the deal have two weeks to provide submissions regarding the move. The regulator said it is looking at whether the takeover 'may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition' in the healthcare sector. Following submissions, the regulator will then decide whether the deal is in the jurisdiction of the CMA to complete the phase one probe and then whether a more thorough investigation needs to take place. PHP's rival bidder KKR had cautioned that the deal, which is combining the two largest UK healthcare real estate firms, could attract scrutiny from the CMA. Assura owns more than 600 buildings, including doctors' surgeries, with a portfolio valued at around £3.1 billion. It has about 80 members of staff.
Bloomberg
4 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Aviva's £3.7 Billion Direct Line Deal Gets UK Regulator's Nod
Aviva Plc 's plan to buy Direct Line Insurance Group Plc for roughly £3.7 billion ($5.09 billion) to create the UK's largest motor insurer has been given the nod from the country's competition regulator. The Competition and Markets Authority said in a statement that it has decided, on the information currently available to it, not to refer the above merger to a phase 2 investigation. The text of its decision will be made available as soon as is reasonably practicable, the CMA said.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Google may have to make changes to UK search engine, says watchdog
Google may have to launch changes to its search engine in the UK and hand more power back to publishers, the competition regulator has warned. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has said it is looking at whether it needs to loosen Google's control of its search engine and allow publishers more influence over how their content is used. The tech giant is the first company being targeted by the regulator under a new set of digital market laws. Google accounts for more than 90% of searches in the UK, while it is also used by more than 200,000 UK businesses to reach customers. CMA takes first steps to improve competition in search services in the UK. We've proposed to designate Google with strategic market status under the new Digital Markets Competition — Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) June 24, 2025 The CMA, which launched its investigation into Google in January, said it is minded to give the tech firm 'strategic market status', which would require it to abide by a number of rules over its conduct. It could be forced to introduce new 'fair ranking' measures for its search results as well as giving further support to publishers on its platform, as a result. A final decision is set to be made by October following a consultation has been contacted for comment. Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: 'Google search has delivered tremendous benefits – but our investigation so far suggests there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative. 'Today marks an important milestone in our implementation of the new Digital Markets Competition Regime in the UK. 'Alongside our proposed designation of Google's search activities, we have set out a roadmap of possible future action to improve outcomes for people and businesses in the UK. 'These targeted and proportionate actions would give UK businesses and consumers more choice and control over how they interact with Google's search services – as well as unlocking greater opportunities for innovation across the UK tech sector and broader economy.'
Reuters
13-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Britain says Google's online-ad commitments no longer needed
LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) - Britain's antitrust regulator said commitments it secured from Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab in 2022 related to online advertising were no longer needed after the tech company decided against a standalone prompt for third-party cookies in April. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had been concerned that Google's original plan to downgrade third-party cookies could have weakened competition in digital advertising. In 2022 it accepted commitments from Google that addressed its concerns about its "privacy sandbox" proposals, specifically around plans to remove some third-party cookies from its Chrome browser. "The CMA believes the commitments are no longer necessary and is now consulting before it takes a decision on whether to release them later this year," it said on Friday.
CNA
13-06-2025
- Business
- CNA
Britain says Google's online-ad commitments no longer needed
LONDON :Britain's antitrust regulator said commitments it secured from Google in 2022 related to online advertising were no longer needed after the tech company decided against a standalone prompt for third-party cookies in April. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had been concerned that Google's original plan to downgrade third-party cookies could have weakened competition in digital advertising. In 2022 it accepted commitments from Google that addressed its concerns about its "privacy sandbox" proposals, specifically around plans to remove some third-party cookies from its Chrome browser.
