In the News
Competition Commission requires Ryanair to sell shareholding in Aer Lingus down to 5 per cent
In line with its provisional findings, the CC has ordered Ryanair to sell its 29.8 per cent stake in Aer Lingus down to 5 per cent on the basis that Ryanair's existing minority shareholding has or may be expected to lead to a substantial lessening of competition. The CC believes that the strategic and commercial policy of Aer Lingus is likely to be affected by Ryanair's shareholding, which would allow Ryanair to block special resolutions and could prevent the acquisition of Aer Lingus by another airline. Click here.
Competition Commission finds lack of competition between private hospitals
The CC has issued its provisional findings on its market investigation into privately-funded healthcare services. The CC has found that many private hospitals face little competition in local areas across the UK, leading to higher private medical insurance premiums and charges for private patients. The CC has also identified concerns around incentive schemes, which encourage consultants to choose particular private providers for diagnosis and treatment, and the lack of available information on the performance of hospitals and consultants. The CC is now consulting on possible remedies to these issues. Click here.
EU
European Commission
- The European Commission has published a summary of its decision to grant conditional approval to the acquisition by Western Digital of Viviti Technologies in the Official Journal. Click here.
UK
Competition Appeal Tribunal
- The CAT has issued an order granting an application by the defendants (other than Morgan Crucible) for an extension of the period for seeking permission to appeal the CAT's ruling which granted an application by UK-based claimants to lift the stay on their damages action against participants in the carbon and graphite products cartel. Click here.
- The CAT has published its response to the consultation issued by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills on streamlining the system of regulatory and competition appeals. Click here.
OFT
- The OFT has published its decision finding that the award of contracts to SSP Health Limited (SSP) to manage and operate 22 General Medical Practices in Merseyside does not give rise to a relevant merger situation since SSP had not acquired material influence over the practices concerned. Click here.
Ofcom
Ofcom has published a commissioned independent report on the future of commercial communications on TV. The report considers the future of the television advertising market, reviews the current environment for television advertising and looks at anticipated developments. Click here.
Ofcom has published a consultation on the future management of spectrum in the 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz bands, given the increased demand for these spectrum bands due to their potential use for 4G backhaul. Click here.
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