Meta: Watchdog greenlights changes to advertiser data rules on Facebook August 20, 2024 The UK’s competition watchdog has given the green light to new commitments from Meta to better protect the data of advertisers on Facebook. Since June 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been looking into whether Meta has unfairly data from its advertising services to give its Facebook Marketplace an edge over competitors. After [...]
Is Google a monopoly? Sort of, but that’s the free market August 20, 2024 How about a little trust in the dynamism of the free market? Writes Matthew Feeney
Barratt pushed ahead with £2.5bn Redrow merger despite CMA concerns August 19, 2024 Housebuilders Barratt and Redrow have decided to push ahead with their £2.5bn merger despite issues raised by the competition regulator. The merger, announced by the companies in February, has been under investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) due to concerns that it could significantly reduce competition. The two companies currently hold a large [...]
Strict advertising rules are pushing formula milk prices to record highs, CMA finds August 16, 2024 Strict advertising rules around infant formula milk are leading to “historically high” prices for UK parents, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said today. The watchdog said its investigation into formula prices had found that current regulations, which heavily limit how brands can advertise their products, were hindering price competition. It said that since price [...]
Monzo celebrates fourth year on top of bank satisfaction rankings August 15, 2024 Monzo has once again taken first place in an official league table measuring whether customers would recommend their bank to friends and family, with the firm marking four years in the top spot. The digital-only bank, founded in 2015, has topped the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) biannual current account satisfaction ranking since August 2020, [...]
Worcester Bosch to make major change after green marketing concerns raised by CMA August 9, 2024 Worcester Bosch has agreed to make a major change to the way it markets its products across the UK after agreeing a deal with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The watchdog said it had become concerned the company may have mislead consumers into thinking that its boilers – marketed as ‘hydrogen-blend ready’ – are [...]
Barratt’s £2.5bn merger with Redrow now hinges on sale of 10 houses August 8, 2024 A £2.5bn merger between housebuilders Barratt and rival Redrow now hinges on the sale of 10 houses after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the deal could create local competition issues. In a ruling issued this morning the watchdog said the deal, announced in March 2024, could lead to a “substantial lessening of competition” [...]
Is the real Airbnb hell about to begin? August 8, 2024 A site called airbnbhell.com, a rabbit hole of “uncensored” stories of host and guest experiences, reveals detailed anecdotes ranging from pet problems and parties, to discrimination and fraud. It is no longer an active site but the holiday home rental app had a hell of its own on Wednesday when shares plunged 16 per cent [...]
FCA: Pension schemes to be rated on new traffic light system in bid to boost returns August 8, 2024 The plans will see schemes rated publicly on a range of metrics, including investment performance and service quality, rather than just focusing on costs and charges.
Vodafone launches next stage of £3.4bn shareholder value return plan August 7, 2024 Vodafone has launched the next stage of its share repurchase programme worth up to €500m (£430m). In March, the firm said it would return €4bn (£3.4bn) to shareholders as part of a broader capital allocation review in an attempt to appease jittery shareholders following asset sales. It kicked off the return in May with an [...]