UK Prime Minister Pressures CMA for Growth-Focused Antitrust Regulations

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans on Monday to dismantle regulatory barriers perceived as impediments to growth, as he secured over £60 billion ($78 billion) in commitments from leading global businesses. This initiative follows the Labour Party’s ascent to power in July, where it vowed to restore investor confidence and rejuvenate the nation’s aging infrastructure and public services.

At a gathering in London aimed at attracting private investment, Starmer emphasized the government’s commitment to streamlining planning processes, enhancing regulations to encourage innovation, and ensuring the provision of affordable, sustainable energy. “We will make sure that every regulator in this country—especially our economic and competition regulators—takes growth as seriously as this room does,” he asserted, underscoring the role of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in fostering a more growth-oriented environment, according to Reuters.

Starmer’s administration has faced challenges in its early days, particularly with investor uncertainty surrounding tax implications ahead of the government’s upcoming budget. Many investors have expressed frustration over the lengthy process required to develop critical infrastructure, a sentiment that has grown more pronounced since the 2016 Brexit referendum, which cast doubt on future trading conditions and led to years of political instability.

Recent data highlighted by Reuters revealed that foreign direct investment inflows in the UK hit a nine-year low of 2.7% of the economy in the second quarter of 2024, prompting urgency from the government to attract substantial capital. To this end, the Labour government defended its initial efforts to enhance workers’ rights while unveiling a comprehensive industrial strategy that encompasses vital areas such as skills development, research and development (R&D), energy supply, planning, and funding.

Amid calls for a more cohesive strategy, the government also announced plans to relax bank ring-fencing regulations, eliminate outdated reporting requirements for firms, and introduce a new National Wealth Fund. Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds emphasized that while there would be no “bonfire” of regulations, addressing the UK’s challenges in securing investment and constructing infrastructure is crucial.

However, regulatory reform is not the sole concern of investors. Market sentiments are shifting, with apprehensions growing about potential tax increases and additional borrowing to address a projected £22 billion shortfall in public finances ahead of the October 30 budget. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves hinted at the possibility of raising social security contributions for employers, which could further unsettle investors.

Starmer assured the public that the upcoming budget would embody “the tough love of prudence,” while rejecting rumors that capital gains tax rates might soar to 39%. He remarked, “There’s been a lot of doom and gloom,” a sentiment echoed by Michael Mainelli, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Mainelli told Reuters that the government now has “the potential to really get shoulders to the wheel and do things,” signaling a shift in tone toward optimism about the UK’s economic future.

Source: Reuters