Investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct by housebuilders

The CMA is investigating suspected exchanges of competitively sensitive information by 8 housebuilders in Great Britain under the Competition Act 1998.

From:
Competition and Markets Authority
Published
26 February 2024
Last updated
11 November 2024 — See all updates
Case type:
CA98 and civil cartels
Case state:
Open
Market sector:
Building and construction
Opened:
26 February 2024

Case timetable

Date Action
February 2024 to December 2024 (estimate) Initial investigation: including information gathering, analysis and review of information gathered
26 February 2024 Investigation opened

Case information

On 26 February 2024, the CMA launched an investigation under Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998 into suspected breaches of competition law by 8 housebuilders, relating to concerns that they may have exchanged competitively sensitive information.

On 22 August 2024, 2 of the housebuilders that are parties to the CMA’s investigation, namely Barratt Developments plc and Redrow plc, merged to form Barratt Redrow plc.

Further to that merger, the 7 housebuilders whose activities are being investigated are:

  • Barratt Redrow plc and its group companies
  • Bellway plc and its group companies
  • The Berkeley Group plc and its group companies
  • Bloor Homes Limited and its group companies
  • Persimmon plc and its group companies
  • Taylor Wimpey plc and its group companies
  • Vistry Group plc and its group companies

Notes

The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement or infringements of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party under investigation. Not all cases result in the CMA issuing a statement of objections.

The CMA will consider any representations it receives before any decision is taken as to whether competition law has been infringed.

Further detail of the CMA’s procedures in Competition Act 1998 cases is available in our guidance.

Changes to the timing of original entries in the case timetable will be made if the estimated timing changes.

Personal data

The CMA may collect, use and share personal data for its investigations, including investigations under the Competition Act 1998. This includes processing personal data for the purposes of the UK General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

You can find more information about how the CMA handles personal information in the CMA’s Personal Information Charter.

Contacts

Any media enquiries should be directed to a member of our Press Office: 020 3738 6460, [email protected]

Please direct case-related enquiries to [email protected]

Updates to this page

Published 26 February 2024
Last updated 11 November 2024 + show all updates

  1. Case information updated.

  2. Replaced Ann Pope with Geoff Steadman as case’s Senior Responsible Officer.

  3. First published.

Contents