The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has extended its investigation into suspected anti-competitive conduct by seven housebuilders until May.
In December, the CMA completed its initial probe into possible breaches of competition law by Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley, Bloor, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry.
But it is now undertaking further investigation, including additional evidence gathering and CMA analysis and review, as it “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”.
It said it would consider any representations received before reaching a decision on whether competition law had been infringed. The probe will now conclude in May.
On February 26 2024, as it published its final report on the housebuilding market, the CMA announced it had found evidence indicating some housebuilders may be sharing commercially sensitive information with their competitors.
This, it said, could be influencing the build-out of sites and the prices of new homes. It launched its investigation under the Competition Act 1998.
