Competition regulator launches probe into Comparethemarket home insurance pricing September 26, 2017 Britain’s competition watchdog has launched an investigation into price comparison website Comparethemarket over allegedly unfairly priced home insurance deals. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) revealed details of the probe as part of its findings following a year-long in-depth investigation into online comparison websites. Watchdog concerns centre on “most favoured nation clauses”, exclusive deals agreed [...]
A life off-grid with no energy bills is closer than you think. Here’s what the future has in store for sustainable homes September 26, 2017 "Right," says eco-developer Sam Budhdeo, rubbing his hands together. “We think we have the solution to climate change.” As openers go, it’s a bold one, but not quite as outlandish as it sounds. The housebuilder who successfully cracks the code to building sustainably – and affordably – would be solving a large part of the [...]
Why Paris is on the up: tourism, transport and Brexit September 21, 2017 As Global Cities bloggers and property investors, we track a whole range of factors when compiling the Schroders Global Cities index. Strong tourism and improving transport links are among the essential ingredients for improving a city’s prospects and therefore its attraction to commercial real estate investors. Paris, ranked 16th in the index, is worthy of [...]
21st Century Fox’s Sky takeover will be referred to CMA for in-depth investigation, culture secretary Karen Bradley confirms September 14, 2017 The culture secretary this morning confirmed she will refer Fox’s bid for Sky to the competition regulator for an in-depth, phase two investigation. Karen Bradley said she will refer the bid on the grounds of both media plurality and broadcasting standards. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will now have 24 weeks to report back [...]
City watchdog the FCA refers investment consultants for a CMA competition investigation in the first decision of its kind September 14, 2017 The spotlight is about to turn on the investment consultancy and fiduciary management services industry, as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) today announced that it will refer the sector to the competition authority. This is the first time the FCA will have ever made a Market Investigation Reference to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). [...]
City divided on Saudi Aramco: City of London Corporation backs FCA’s new listing rules to help London Stock Exchange lure oil giant September 11, 2017 The Square Mile’s governing authority is throwing its weight behind new rules to attract the Saudi Aramco mega-float, pitting itself against other major bodies including the Institute of Directors (IoD) and the Investment Association, City A.M. can reveal. The City of London Corporation has “no problem” with new listing rules put forward by the Financial [...]
Westminster pressure on City watchdog over Saudi Aramco: Nicky Morgan and Rachel Reeves quiz FCA on new listing rules September 8, 2017 Two political heavyweights have cranked up the pressure on the City watchdog over its plans to shake up listing rules which could pave the way for a Saudi Aramco mega-float. The chairs of the influential Treasury and Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy select committees, Nicky Morgan and Rachel Reeves, have written to Financial Conduct Authority [...]
Transport for London is “urgently” investigating Taxify, the city’s newest ride-hailing startup and rival to Uber | City A.M. September 7, 2017 London’s transport authority is “urgently” investigating Taxify, a ride-hailing startup which launched in the capital this week to take on Uber. “Taxify is not a London licenced private hire operator. We are urgently investigating the nature and extent of its activities and will take action where appropriate,” a Transport for London spokesperson told City A.M.. [...]
Intel claims a victory against EU over €1bn antitrust fine after ECJ ruling September 6, 2017 Intel has claimed a victory in its decade-long dispute with competition authorities in Brussels. Europe’s top court has today referred an antitrust case which was seeking to impose a €1bn fine on the tech company back to a lower court to be reviewed. The penalty – the biggest ever imposed by the EU competition commission [...]
Electric cars to charge ahead August 29, 2017 In late July, the UK government announced plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel-only cars in Britain from 2040[1]. It joined the Netherlands, Norway, India, and France to become the fifth country to commit to ending the sale of traditional internal combustion engine cars. However, while it has yet to commit to [...]