Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
UK Construction Directory
Search our 157,482 companies....

Construction News

09/07/2025

UK Housebuilders Offer £100m To Settle CMA Probe Into Information Sharing

Construction News Image
Seven of the UK's largest housebuilders have offered a combined £100 million settlement in response to a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into alleged information sharing practices that raised competition concerns.

The CMA launched the probe last year amid suspicions that Barratt, Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry had exchanged commercially sensitive information. This included pricing details, number of property viewings, and incentives offered to homebuyers, such as upgraded kitchens and stamp duty contributions.

To address the concerns, the companies have proposed a package of commitments that the CMA is now consulting on until 24 July 2025. If accepted, the measures would be legally binding and bring the investigation to a close without a formal decision on whether competition law was breached.

Under the proposed commitments, the housebuilders will:
-- Advertisement --
hss



• Pay a record £100 million – the largest settlement ever secured by the CMA through commitments – to support affordable housing programmes across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

• Collaborate with the Home Builders Federation and Homes for Scotland to develop industry-wide guidance on responsible information sharing.

• Cease sharing certain types of data with rival firms, particularly on house sale prices, except in limited and clearly defined circumstances.

The settlement aims to benefit communities by directly funding the construction of hundreds of affordable homes, targeted at low-income households, first-time buyers, and vulnerable individuals.

The CMA emphasised that robust competition in the housing market is vital to keep prices fair, improve quality, and ensure the timely delivery of infrastructure. It said this outcome serves as a warning to others that anti-competitive behaviour will be investigated and addressed.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive at the CMA, said: "Housing is a critical sector for the UK economy and housing costs are a substantial part of people’s monthly spend, so it’s essential that competition works well. This keeps prices as low as possible and increases choice.

"As a result of the CMA's investigation, housebuilders are taking clear and comprehensive steps to ensure they comply with the law and don’t share competitively sensitive information with their rivals.

"Alongside these measures, the housebuilders we investigated have agreed to pay £100 million towards affordable homes programmes, which will help communities up and down the country."

If no further concerns are raised during the consultation, the commitments are expected to be finalised later this summer.

Latest Construction News

10/07/2025
Vistry Group has agreed two major deals with housing provider Abri to enable the delivery of almost 200 affordable homes across Hampshire, marking a significant step forward in addressing local housing needs. In Funtley, near Fareham, Vistry has completed a simultaneous land acquisition and forward
10/07/2025
Caddick Construction has officially completed its first Midlands project with the handover of Mansion House, a six-storey residential development comprising 58 new apartments, to joint venture partners Urban Splash and Places for People. Located on the 43-acre Port Loop island alongside Birmingham
10/07/2025
Lovell has broken ground on a new residential development in Port Sunlight, set to transform a long-vacant brownfield industrial site into a thriving community of 115 high-quality homes. Located on Dock Road North, the development supports the local authority’s strategy to unlock underused land for
10/07/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction's Wales division has officially broken ground on a new state-of-the-art Additional Learning Needs (ALN) school in Clydach Vale, designed to be net zero carbon in operation. Commissioned by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, the £37 million school will provide Engl
10/07/2025
HG Construction has announced a £1.2 million investment in Dumarey Green Power's 'Revolution Battery' technology, following successful trials earlier this year aimed at decarbonising crane and hoist operations across its UK sites. The investment marks a significant step in HG Construction's drive t
10/07/2025
M Group has completed a major improvement project at Queenstown Road Station in south-west London, delivering long-awaited upgrades including a new rear entrance designed to ease access for daily commuters. Undertaken on behalf of developer Taylor Wimpey, the project involved significant engineerin
10/07/2025
Helical has appointed McLaren Construction as the main contractor for the £90 million transformation of Brettenham House, an iconic Art Deco building on London's north bank, into a state-of-the-art sustainable office and retail hub. Originally built in 1932 and located within the Savoy Conservation
10/07/2025
Tower Hamlets Council has completed 30 road resurfacing schemes across the borough over the past year, thanks to targeted investment and funding support from central government. The improvements aim to deliver a more resilient road network, reduce disruption, and lower carbon emissions. Part-fund
10/07/2025
Mace has been appointed by Pegasi to deliver the major transformation of Fresh Wharf, a prominent 1980s building located on the banks of the River Thames, into a cutting-edge, sustainability-driven workplace. Situated just minutes from Tower Bridge, the 11-storey structure will be transformed to of
10/07/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction has celebrated a key milestone at Abbeywood Community School with a steel signing ceremony marking the final structural installation of the school's new extension – completed ahead of schedule. Held on 27 June, the event brought together representatives from South Glouce
Aqua Direct LtdStuart CanvasEfco UK LtdLakeside HirerooostSphion ArchitectureParoc Panel SystemClean Room Construction LtdAlpha RecruitmentTrinity Creations