The UK Government announced, on 25 April 2023, that the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Business and Trade had introduced the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, which passed its first reading in the House of Commons on the same day. In particular, the Departments noted that the bill is meant to ensure businesses and consumers are protected and can reap the full benefits of the digital economy with confidence.

Moreover, the Explanatory Notes provide that the bill would:

• create a new regime to increase competition in digital markets by conferring powers and duties on the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to regulate competition in these markets;
• update powers to investigate and enforce competition law;
• update and enhance powers to investigate and enforce consumer protection law and resolve consumer disputes; and
• give consumers protection in respect of unfair commercial practices, subscription traps, and prepayments to savings schemes.

Furthermore, the Departments noted that the Bill will come into effect as soon as possible following parliamentary approval, subject to secondary legislation and the publication of guidance.

You can read the press release here, the Explanatory Notes here, supporting documents here, the bill here, and track its progress here.

UPDATE (2 February 2024)

Bill advances through committee stage

On 31 January 2024, the bill progressed through its fourth day of committee stage examination, which commenced on 22 January 2024. In particular, the bill was first introduced, on 25 April  2023, to the UK Parliament during the 2022-23 session as Bill 294 of 2022-23. The upcoming continuation of the committee stage is scheduled for February 5, 2024, when additional amendments will be addressed.

You can read the bill here, its supporting documents here, and track its progress here.

UPDATE (26 April 2024)

Bill passes third reading in House of Lords

On 26 March 2024, the bill passed its third reading with amendments in the House of Lords. The bill then moved to the House of Commons which will consider the amendments to the bill on 30 April 2024.

You can read the bill here, its supporting documents here, and track its progress here.

UPDATE (16 May 2024)

House of Lords considers amendments to Bill

On 14 May 2024, the bill returned to the House of Lords for consideration of the House of Commons' proposed amendments. 

In particular, the House of Commons had proposed changes to the bill including:

• giving challenger firms greater access to information about cases being considered by the CMA; and
• requiring the CMA to publish full statements, rather than summaries, of its notices of findings and enforcement orders.

The House of Lords agreed to amend the bill to impose restrictions on secondary ticketing facilities but voted against a change on appealing penalties imposed by the CMA. The bill will now return to the House of Commons with an amendment for their consideration.

You can read the bill here, its supporting documents here, and track its progress here.

UPDATE (28 May 2024)

Bill becomes law

On 24 May 2024, DSIT announced that the Act had become law after receiving Royal Assent.

You can read the press release here, the Act here, and view its legislative history here.