London, January 23, 2026 — The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued a final notice confirming it will release or revoke 37 merger remedies following a strategic review aimed at reducing regulatory burden on businesses and allowing the authority to focus on remedies that remain necessary.
Why the CMA reviewed the remedies
The CMA said undertakings and orders are the main tools it uses to address concerns identified in merger investigations under the Enterprise Act 2002, including remedies such as divestments, prohibitions, or behavioural commitments.
Under section 92 of the Act, the CMA has a statutory duty to keep merger remedies under review and assess whether, due to changes in circumstances, they remain appropriate or should be varied, superseded, revoked, or released.
Consultation and outcome
The CMA launched a consultation after publishing a Notice of Intention on December 8, 2025, which closed on January 7, 2026.
It said it received no representations objecting to the release of the remedies. In all 37 cases, the CMA’s final decision was to proceed with releasing or revoking the remedies for the reasons set out in its earlier notice.
The CMA said its public register will be updated accordingly.
Remedies removed
The remedies released or revoked include legacy cases across sectors such as grocery retail, cinemas, pubs, dental services, rail franchises and construction materials.
Among the remedies removed were those linked to mergers including Asda/Netto, Boots/Alliance UniChem, Co-operative Group/Somerfield, Greene King/Spirit Pub Company, Travis Perkins/BSS Group, Vue Entertainment/Apollo Cinemas, and William Hill/Stanley Leisure.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strategic-review-of-merger-remedies-2025
