May 2024
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This conference examined the future for digital competition in the UK. It brought together stakeholders and policymakers as the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill reaches its final stages in Parliament.
Delegates examined latest developments and key issues for implementation of the new proposed digital markets regime in the UK, including implications for the competitive landscape and impact on businesses, their customers and partners, and wider digital competition.
It was an opportunity to consider latest amendments being debated, such as potential changes to trader obligations and consumer protection and rights, processes for SMS designation and pro-competition interventions, and standards applied to penalty decision appeals.
The agenda examined next steps for implementation of new measures, including responsibilities and regulatory powers granted to the DMU.
Delegates looked forward to what the new competition landscape means for non-SMS and SMS entities, priorities for stakeholder engagement, and implications for innovation and investment in the UK. They also assessed opportunities to support growth and market diversity in the digital economy as well as options for regulatory agility going forward and alternative approaches to promoting competition.
Further sessions focused on priorities for consumer protection following the government consultation on improving transparency and product information, as well as what will be needed to identify and protect against potentially unfair practices going forward.
The agenda also brought out latest thinking on opportunities for innovation and promoting confidence, investment and growth in the UK digital economy, including the use of AI in consumer-facing applications and to support tackling bad practice.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Georgina Clarke, Bill Manager, Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill, DSIT; Denny Jicheva, Head of Digital Markets Strategy and Institutional Design, DSIT; and Professor Oles Andriychuk, Newcastle University Law School.
Sessions in the agenda included:
- policy: latest legislative and political developments - priorities for the regulation of the UK’s digital markets
- potential impact: SMS-designated entities - non-SMS enterprises - the wider business community - digital markets and the UK digital economy - innovation and investment in the UK
- consumer protection: key outstanding issues - scope and implementation of new measures - trader responsibilities - public information and engagement - further regulatory options going forward
- innovation and growth: navigating the new regulatory landscape - promoting market competition and confidence - attracting investment - opportunities for AI - regulatory agility going forward
- implementation: next steps for a pro-competition regime in the UK and digital markets
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from the CMA; Ofcom; DBT; DSIT; DLUHC; DESNZ; HMRC; HM Treasury; UKIB; and The Scottish Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords.
