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ARTICLE · 10 NOVEMBER 2026

UK Competition Reform Not A Priority For Burnham

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The UK Competition Reform Bill, announced in the King's Speech as part of the government's pro-growth strategy, appears to have been shelved by Prime Minister Burnham's administration due to shifting political priorities.

United KingdomAntitrust/Competition Law
Nadja Waksman
Nadja Waksman
Nigel Seay
Nigel Seay
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According to government sources it appears the UK Competition Reform Bill (the "Bill") is no longer a priority for the new prime minister Burnham and his team due to a "shift in political priorities".

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is still reviewing feedback to the current consultation on measures to improve the "4Ps" (pace, predictability, proportionality and process) of the UK's competition regime, adopted in 2025 as part of the government's pro-growth agenda. However, it now appears the Bill is unlikely to proceed, at least in the short/medium term. 

The government's change in direction seems less likely a result of criticism the proposals had attracted from some in the legal and business community (see below), but rather a change in priorities towards the implementation of the overall package of employment and economic reforms under the new prime minister. 

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