London, October 16, 2025 – The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is consulting on proposed updates to its merger remedies guidance, seeking to make the process more flexible, transparent, and predictable for businesses while ensuring remedies remain effective in preserving competition.
Comprehensive Refresh of Remedies Framework
The revised guidance forms part of the authority’s wider “4Ps” programme—pace, predictability, proportionality and process—aimed at improving the UK merger control regime.
The proposals clarify when behavioural remedies may be appropriate at either Phase 1 or Phase 2 and explain how potential risks can be mitigated. While structural remedies will remain the preferred approach, the CMA said greater flexibility will allow it to clear more deals that deliver efficiencies and consumer benefits.
The guidance also details how the CMA will assess rivalry-enhancing efficiencies—such as cost reductions, improved quality, or greater innovation—and relevant customer benefits to ensure that pro-growth mergers which strengthen competition can proceed.
Enhancing Certainty and Engagement
Process reforms introduced in recent years, including early feedback opportunities and more direct engagement with decision-makers, have been built into the revised framework. These measures, the CMA said, should help clear more mergers with remedies at an earlier stage.
Joel Bamford, Executive Director for Mergers, described the consultation as “a comprehensive refresh of our remedies guidance, designed to give greater clarity and certainty while keeping the focus firmly on effective outcomes.”
The consultation runs until November 13, 2025, with final guidance expected by the end of the year.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cma-consults-on-proposed-changes-to-its-merger-remedies-approach?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=413ddf16-790c-45aa-9974-02a33e460477&utm_content=immediately
