PART 4Independent advice on and monitoring of UK internal market

Reporting, advisory and monitoring functions

I133Monitoring and reporting on the operation of the UK internal market

1

The CMA may from time to time undertake a review of any matter it considers relevant to assessing or promoting the effective operation of—

a

the internal market in the United Kingdom;

b

provisions of Parts 1 to 3 (for example with regard to particular sectors of the internal market, or trade in different parts of the United Kingdom).

2

The CMA may receive and consider any proposals that may be made or referred to it for undertaking a review in exercise of its powers under subsection (1).

3

The CMA may prepare and publish a report on any matter falling within subsection (1).

4

Any report published by the CMA under subsection (3) is to be published in such manner as it considers appropriate.

5

The CMA must, no later than 31 March 2023 and at least once in every relevant 12-month period, prepare a report on—

a

the operation of the internal market in the United Kingdom, and

b

developments as to the effectiveness of the operation of that market.

6

The CMA must, no later than 31 March 2023 and at least once in every relevant 5-year period, prepare a report on—

a

the effectiveness of the operation of provisions of Parts 1 to 3,

b

the impact of the operation of those Parts on the operation and development of the internal market in the United Kingdom,

c

any interaction between the operation of those Parts and common framework agreements, and

d

the impact of common framework agreements on the operation and development of the internal market in the United Kingdom.

7

The CMA must arrange for a copy of the report prepared under subsection (5) or (6) for any period to be laid before—

a

each House of Parliament,

b

the Scottish Parliament,

c

Senedd Cymru, and

d

the Northern Ireland Assembly.

8

So far as a report under this section is concerned with the effective operation of the internal market in the United Kingdom, the report may consider (among other things)—

a

developments in the operation of the internal market, for example as regards—

i

competition,

ii

access to goods and services,

iii

volumes of trade (or of trade in any direction) between participants in different parts of the United Kingdom, and

b

the practical implications of differences of approach embodied in regulatory provisions, falling within the scope of this Part, that apply to different parts of the United Kingdom.

9

In this section—

  • “common framework agreements” has the meaning given by section 10;

  • “relevant 12-month period” means—

    1. a

      the period of 12 months beginning with 1 April 2023, and

    2. b

      each successive period of 12 months;

  • “relevant 5-year period” means—

    1. a

      the period of 5 years beginning with 1 April 2023, and

    2. b

      each successive period of 5 years.