Category: Industry
Are we seeing any changes following the retail banking investigations?
First published by Author on July 13, 2018 in the following categories: Industry and tagged with retail banking
Following changes made by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) for banking practices, are we seeing any changes following the retail banking investigations?
The major issues surrounding the retail banking investigations was about barriers to entry for new banks stifling competition, as well as customers staying with their banks due to restrictions for changing banks, overdraft issues and customer engagement concerns.
The CMA found that relevant industry practises and issues had allowed for competition to fall within the category of ‘prevented, restricted and / or distorted’. Since big changes were made, have we seen any benefits?
Are online gambling companies treating their customers fairly?
First published by Author on May 11, 2018 in the following categories: Industry and tagged with online gambling
Are online gambling companies treating their customers fairly? The UK’s Competition and Market’s Authority (CMA) has been reviewing the industry for a while now, and with the recent story about gambling company LeoVegas said to be “failing” problem gamblers, it’s a market that needs a very close eye on it.
The CMA has been asking online gambling firms to agree to a number of undertakings as they continue to watch over this lucrative but also somewhat problematic industry.
The CMA has written to more online gambling firms about their practices recently as a number of enforcement actions have been taken to ensure the market is healthy, and ensure online gamblers are free of unfair obstacles and practises.
New draft of consumer law regulations attempts to improve quality of life for residents within the UK care home industry
First published by Author on April 27, 2018 in the following categories: Industry and tagged with care home | cma
A new draft consumer law advice for the UK care home industry is being considered, with a particular focus on curbing charges after a resident’s death.
The care home industry has been under close scrutiny in recent years from the UK’s competition watchdog – The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) – over families bearing the costs of fees after a resident has passed away. The CMA has been looking at the industry as a whole to ensure there is fair competition to keep fees down in an era where elderly care is both costly and straining under a continually ageing population.
read more
CMA clamp down on car hire websites over “hidden” costs
First published by Author on April 20, 2018 in the following categories: Industry Pricing and tagged with car hire websites | cma | comparison sites
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have clamped down on car hire websites over “hidden” costs, resulting in changes as to how quotes are to be presented, and ensuring more information is provided as to what additional costs could be incurred.
The investigation has seen online travel agent P&P Associates Ltd, as well as price comparison website companies Affordable Car Hire Ltd and Flexiblecarhire.com Ltd, commit to ensuring all compulsory charges are contained within quotes.
Now, things like fuel surcharges, additional fees for young drivers and out-of-hours pick up charges must be included in the initial quotes.
read more
UK pharmaceutical companies paying millions of pounds to healthcare professionals
First published by Author on April 13, 2018 in the following categories: Incentives and tagged with competition law | incentives | medical
According to a report from The Times newspaper, UK pharmaceutical companies are reportedly paying millions of pounds to healthcare professionals and other organisations.
American pharmaceutical companies have previously come under fire for reportedly paying healthcare professionals to push their products, and it now appears the UK may have the same problem.
According to The Times, two of the biggest pharmaceutical players in the UK have been making “secret payments” of almost £20 million to reportedly “plug” their products.
read more
Multiple shipping companies admit to price-fixing agreements for their services
First published by Admin on February 16, 2018 in the following categories: Industry and tagged with price fixing | shipping
Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL) has pleaded guilty to price-fixing and was ordered to pay almost £70 million for breaching competition laws.
Three other companies have reportedly followed WWL’s footsteps and have also pleaded guilty.
Several former and current executives for WWL have been indicted on charges of anti-competitive behaviour over accusations of price-fixing for some of its international ocean shipping. Former executives were apparently charged in November 2016 along with a current executive as well.
read more