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UK Antitrust Regulator Launches Review of Longstanding Market Controls

By  |  January 19, 2026
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Britain’s antitrust regulator said on Monday it will undertake a review of its past market interventions to determine whether they are still justified, with the aim of rolling back rules that no longer serve their original purpose, according to Reuters. The move is intended to reduce compliance costs for companies and ease regulatory burdens where competition issues have already been resolved.

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    The Competition and Markets Authority has, over the years, imposed remedies on businesses operating in markets it judged to be insufficiently competitive. These measures have required firms to change behavior or meet specific obligations. Announcing the review, CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said, “Removing unnecessary barriers for businesses saves time and money and ensures the competition regime contributes to the UK’s reputation as a great place to do business and invest,” per Reuters.

    The review comes as the British government has urged regulators to place greater emphasis on policies that support economic growth. According to Reuters, this political pressure has encouraged bodies such as the CMA to reconsider whether long-standing interventions still align with current market conditions and government priorities.

    Read more: UK Regulator Clears All Mergers in 2025 After Shift Toward Pro-Business Stance

    In a related development, a Sky News report cited by Reuters said proposals to overhaul the CMA’s approach to mergers and acquisitions could be unveiled as soon as this week, signaling broader changes to the UK’s competition framework.

    The CMA said it has already identified 33 existing remedies—around 60% of all those currently in force—that may no longer be necessary, according to Reuters. The authority noted that many of these measures may have been overtaken by new legislation, updated regulations, or advances in technology that have altered how markets function.

    Among the examples highlighted were restrictions placed on large travel companies more than a decade ago, as well as requirements for banks to supply payment transaction histories. The regulator said it will seek feedback on proposed changes through a consultation process running until March 2, Reuters reported.

    Source: Reuters