The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched (14 January) a consultation on its draft Annual Plan for 2025/26, inviting input from consumers, businesses, and investors to shape its priorities for the coming year.
The plan, titled “Promoting competition and protecting consumers to drive growth, opportunity, and prosperity for the UK,” outlines the CMA’s goals for fostering innovation, investment, and productivity across the economy.
Key Priorities for 2025/26
- Consumer Empowerment and Competition:
- Addressing areas of essential consumer spending under financial strain.
- Expanding efforts to protect consumers from deceptive online sales practices, leveraging new enforcement powers.
- Support for Innovation and Investment:
- Ensuring fair competition in markets critical to innovation and productivity growth.
- Implementing a new digital markets regime to remove barriers to competition and foster investment.
- Strategic Economic Growth Initiatives:
- Collaborating with government to strengthen priority sectors and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities.
- Enhancing public procurement practices with AI tools to detect bid rigging.
- Operational Improvements and Engagement:
- Reviewing merger remedies and improving transparency in reporting.
- Strengthening engagement with stakeholders to drive long-term growth and prosperity.
Growth and Investment Council
The CMA also announced the formation of a new Growth and Investment Council, which will advise on unlocking opportunities for competition to drive economic growth. The council comprises senior leaders from prominent business groups, including the Confederation of British Industry, British Retail Consortium, and techUK. Its first meeting, scheduled for this month, will provide feedback on the draft plan.
Leadership Comments
CMA CEO Sarah Cardell emphasized the importance of competition and consumer protection in achieving economic growth:
“At the heart of our plan, we’ve put genuine choice for consumers, effective competition, and a level playing field for innovative businesses to invest and compete.”
CMA Chair Marcus Bokkerink highlighted the broader economic benefits:
“Spurring and sustaining broad-based economic growth requires innovation, investment, and productivity. The CMA works every day to safeguard these foundational conditions.”
Consultation Details
The consultation on the draft Annual Plan runs until 31 January 2025. Feedback will be gathered through roundtables and meetings across the UK, with the final plan set for publication by the end of March 2025.
The CMA’s impact assessment reveals a return of £23 in direct financial benefits to UK consumers for every £1 spent over the past three years, delivering over £20 billion in benefits in the last decade.
For further details, stakeholders can access the draft Annual Plan and related documents on the CMA’s website.
