CMA says investigation will run until May

The Competition and Markets Authority鈥檚 (CMA) investigation into alleged breaches of competition law by seven housebuilders will now run until May, it has announced.

The CMA last year launched an investigation into a group of housebuilders following concerns they may have exchanged 鈥渃ompetitively sensitive information鈥�.

The companies being investigated are Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry.

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Seven housebuilders are being looked at by the CMA

In an update, the CMA confirmed it has concluded its initial probe but will now carry out further investigation, including gathering additional evidence and carrying out analysis.

It said: 鈥淭he 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.

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

>>See also:

>>See also:

The CMA鈥檚 investigation was launched after it published the results of , which revealed that complex and unpredictable planning rules are behind persistent shortfalls in the delivery of new homes

As part of the study published last February, the regulator said it had found evidence indicating alleged breaches of competition law by the housebuilders.

The report suggested these housebuilders 鈥渕ay be sharing commercially sensitive information with their competitors鈥� to 鈥渋nfluence the price and build-out of new homes鈥�. The CMA warned that such activity may 鈥渨eaken competition in the market鈥�.

The seven housebuilders have been contacted for comment.

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