Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 39
The CMA is generally well regarded domestically.
Conclusion
The CMA is generally well regarded domestically. However, awareness of its work appears to be low in the UK, both amongst the public and amongst businesses. We agree that awareness of the CMA’s work and the value which it adds is necessary if it is to have credibility. We encourage the CMA to be more proactive in explaining to the public how its work has delivered for consumers, both in its annual reporting and its press notices.
Government Response Summary
The CMA agrees it is important to communicate effectively and is using press notices and news stories, the 2023/24 draft Annual Plan, and the consultation process to identify and engage with a wider range of stakeholders.
Paragraph Reference:
39
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The CMA agrees it is important to communicate effectively and endeavours to be visible, transparent and trusted, communicating its work accurately in an accessible manner. We are doing so in three ways. First, the CMA uses press notices and news stories to inform audiences in print, online and broadcast media as well as on social media and stories about its work, decisions and benefit they have for consumers, business and the economy. Stories appear daily in national, regional or trade publications. Second, the 2023/24 draft Annual Plan has provided a good opportunity to be more proactive in explaining to the public how the CMA is delivering for consumers. It takes another look at the purpose of the CMA, the outcomes that it seeks to deliver for those it serves as well as priorities and near-term areas of focus. Third, with the growth in CMA’s functions, the CMA is using the consultation process to identify and engage with a wider range of stakeholders across the four nations of the UK, including consumer representative bodies, third sector organisations, business and investor representative associations, on the work it does 14 Post pandemic economic growth: State aid and post-Brexit competition policy: Government Response and the benefit it can have for people across the UK. This engagement is intended to be more systematic and regular than before, with the objective of developing and deepening relationships to sustain an ongoing dialogue.