Economic Insight

Aastha Mantri will be joining a panel discussion at CompLaw UK, exploring key developments in horizontal considerations and private enforcement.  The panel will discuss the CMA’s approach to labour markets, sustainability guidance, information exchange (including algorithmic pricing), and compliance considerations for corporates.    Aastha will be joined by Josh Sherer from HSBC, Emma Griffiths from Rolls Royce, and Oliver Bretz from Euclid Law.   #Competitionlaw #Antitrust

We are pleased to announce this article discussing take-up rates in collective proceedings written by James Harvey and Aastha Mantri has been nominated for the prestigious #AntitrustWritingAwards: https://lnkd.in/e7e7XJ26   (The article was first published in ThoughtLeaders4 Competition | TL4C magazine Issue 6).   #CollectiveProceedings #CompetitionLaw #Competition #CompetitionLitigation

With the Government calling on regulators to support growth, Aastha Mantri explores how the CMA could adapt its approach in the article below. #Competition #Regulation #Growth

We have published an independent report for EDF (UK) assessing the economic impact of its nuclear power stations.  We find that the current nuclear fleet has made significant contributions to the UK economy and the environment, contributing £123 billion in GVA, supporting 31,000 jobs annually, and avoiding 1.1 billion tons CO2 equivalent.   Read our full report here: https://lnkd.in/eP8bDPGg

We have published an independent report for EDF (UK) assessing the economic impact of its nuclear power stations.  We find that the current nuclear fleet has made significant contributions to the UK economy and the environment, contributing £123 billion in GVA, supporting 31,000 jobs annually, and avoiding 1.1 billion tons CO2 equivalent.   Read our full report here: https://lnkd.in/eP8bDPGg

Earlier this week we submitted a response to the CMA’s consultation on the draft guidance for unfair commercial practices (UCP) provisions in the DMCC Act. Overall, the guidance provides useful insights into the CMA’s approach to its new consumer powers, particularly regarding practices subject to the transactional decision test. However, we believe further clarity on the application of this test would help businesses (and their advisors) ensure compliance.   Read our full response below.   #DMCC #ConsumerProtection #Regulation

The CMA has had a busy start to 2025! The DMCC-shaped gun has officially been fired and Google (general search and search advertising) is first on the agenda.  For those of us who have been waiting for this a while, there will be much to think about and discuss over the next 9 months as the CMA develops how it will function in its new role.  For now, I found these two early positions on the role of AI interesting:  - In today’s Google investigation notice, the CMA indicated that Google “may continue to retain [substantial and entrenched market power] at least for the next five years taking into account expected or foreseeable future developments” quoting (amongst other things) the United States and State of Colorado v Google LLC decision: “Currently, AI cannot replace the fundamental building blocks of search, including web crawling, indexing, and ranking … AI may someday fundamentally alter search, but not anytime soon.” - In yesterday’s announcement of the Government’s ‘AI Opportunities Action Plan’, the Department for Science , Innovation & Technology suggested that “AI could be the government’s single biggest lever to deliver its five missions, especially the goal of kickstarting broad-based economic growth” and made several commitments for implementation in the next 5 years. These positions are not necessarily at odds with each other because, as things currently stand, what will happen with AI in the future is anyone’s guess.  In the CMA’s case, however, the DMCC requires it to regulate in this uncertain environment.  And, what it chooses to do could influence what does happen.  Some careful work is needed to engage with today’s “competition-industrial” policy.

We are delighted to announce the following promotions this year:   Natalie Luyt and Loy Chen have been promoted from Consultant to Senior Consultant. Timothy Brittain, Natalie V., Johannes Boch and David Arnett have been promoted from Analyst to Consultant.   Their promotions recognise the fantastic contributions they have made to Economic Insight through their skills and ambition, and importantly their support for their colleagues and clients.   We would also like to wish you a Happy New Year!

We have published two reports for the regulated gas networks, setting out our independent view on the scope for ongoing efficiency at RIIO-GD3 and T3. Ongoing efficiency is a key part of the price control process, reflecting the productivity (or efficiency) improvement that even the most efficient company in an industry can achieve.   Read our recommendations here: https://lnkd.in/dUWwJ6gJ #Regulation #Utilities

Ed Mills has published an article in Utility Week, exploring whether RIIO-3 is giving sufficient consideration to the future of the gas networks in the energy transition.   Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/egDciC9V   #Regulation #Utilities #UtilityWeek