Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill focus of Lords debate

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill will create a regime to empower the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to regulate and increase competition in digital markets.

The bill also updates powers to enforce competition law and resolve consumer disputes, and protects consumers from unfair commercial, subscription, prepayment and saving schemes.

Debate on the draft law 

During second reading, members discussed the main provisions of the bill and highlighted any concerns where they believe amendments (changes) are needed at later stages.

Members discussed topics including the role of the Competition and Markets Authority, protections for consumers and online shopping.

Members speaking

Lord Offord of Garvel (Conservative), Minister for Exports in the Department for Business and Trade, opened the debate.

Contributing members included:

• Lord Clement-Jones (Liberal Democrat), non-executive chair of the Trust Alliance Group consumer dispute services
• Baroness Harding of Winscombe (Conservative), former chief executive of TalkTalk Telecom Group
• Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour), chair of trustees at the Centre for the Acceleration of Social Technology
• Lord Tyrie (Non-affiliated), former chair of the Competition and Markets Authority.

Viscount Camrose (Conservative), Minister for AI and Intellectual Property in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, responded on behalf of the government.

Catch up  

• Watch the debate on Parliament TV
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript 
• Find out more in the House of Lords Library Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill briefing. 

Next steps 

Committee stage, the first chance for line by line examination of the bill, is yet to be scheduled. 

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