Context
The CMA has published its Annual Plan for 2021 to 2022, which sets out its key priorities for the year ahead. This comes as the CMA takes on additional responsibilities for global competition and consumer investigations, following the end of the EU Exit transition period, and as it works to establish the new Digital Markets Unit and the Office for the Internal Market.
In taking on its new responsibilities, the CMA will be taking its place as a global competition and consumer protection authority, continuing to protect consumers, and ensuring businesses operate within the law, during and beyond the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
During the consultation process for the draft Annual Plan, the CMA sought insight directly from consumers, representative charities, and businesses at 13 virtual events across all 4 nations of the UK as well as receiving written submissions from organisations and 164 people.
The full annual plan can be found here – Annual Plan 2020 to 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Key points to note
In 2021/22, the CMA will focus on the following themes:
- Protecting consumers and driving recovery during and after the coronavirus pandemic, focusing in particular on protecting the vulnerable from breaches of competition and consumer protection laws and poorly functioning markets
- Supporting the UK economy by fostering competition to promote innovation, productivity and growth
- Improving trust in markets by rooting out fake reviews and seeking tougher powers to stop anti-competitive behaviour and strengthen consumer redress
- Fostering effective competition in digital markets and tackling abuses in online marketing and digital advertising
- Supporting the transition to a low carbon economy
Next actions
None – for information only