A PYMNTS Company

UK: CMA takes over investigation of energy price comparison sites

By  |  June 23, 2016

The Competition and Markets Authority is investigating a suspected breach of law by energy price comparison websites.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The competition watchdog will look into whether comparison websites agreed not to compete with each other when consumers searched for the best deals online.

    It stated: “The CMA is investigating a suspected breach of competition law by some price comparison websites that offer energy tariff comparisons in relation to paid online search advertising.”

    The names of the price comparison websites haven’t however been revealed.

    The investigation was initially launched by Ofgem last year however the case has now been transferred to the CMA.

    The regulator stated: “Ofgem itself procured search advertising during the period under investigation in the course of publishing advice and information to promote the interests of consumers, one of our statutory functions.

    “Ofgem became aware of communications between Ofgem staff and representatives of some of the parties under investigation encouraging those parties to change their behaviour in relation to bidding on search advertising keywords relevant to Ofgem. These communications took place before the investigation was opened.”

    Full Content: Energy Live News

    Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.