The CMA has announced that it will extend its investigation into alleged breaches of competition law by seven large housebuilders.
The investigation was launched last year to look into whether several housebuilders may have shared what the CMA described as “competitively sensitive information”. The companies under investigation include Barratt Redrow, Persimmon, Vistry, Taylor Wimpey, Berkeley, Bellway and Bloor Homes. The investigation will now run until May 2025.
The watchdog said that it had concluded its initial probe but further investigation will be carried out, which will include gathering additional evidence and further analysis.
The CMA’s update said: “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.”
The initial investigation started after the CMA published the findings of its UK housebuilding market study in February 2024. During its study, which found that complex planning rules were having a negative impact on the delivery of new homes, the CMA said that it had also unearthed evidence that indicated potential breaches of competition by the group of housebuilders.
The CMA’s report determined that the seven housebuilders “may be sharing commercially sensitive information with their competitors” which could “influence the price and build-out of new homes”. The watchdog warned that this behaviour could result in a weakening of competition in the market.
