Lords completes scrutiny of Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill
27 March 2024
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill had its third reading, a chance for members to make sure the eventual law is effective, workable and without loopholes, on Tuesday 26 March.
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.
Third reading
Third reading is the chance for members to ‘tidy up' a bill, making small changes to ensure it is effective.
The government put forward changes it promised on restricting foreign state ownership of newspapers, after members convinced the government to take action with similar proposals at an earlier stage. Members also put forward amendments (PDF) (changes) to the bill to prevent influence of foreign powers on newspaper companies.
Catch up
Watch or read the debate
- Watch the Parliament TV recording.
- Read the Lords Hansard transcript.
Explore further information
Find out more about the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill in the House of Lords Library briefing.
Next steps
The bill now returns to the House of Commons for consideration of Lords amendments.
What's happened so far?
Report stage
Further detailed examination of the bill took place during report stage on Monday 11 and Wednesday 13 March.
Committee stage
Line-by-line examination of the bill took place during committee stage between Monday 22 January and Wednesday 7 February 2024.
Second reading
Second reading, a full debate on the key principles of the bill, took place on Tuesday 5 December 2023.
Image: AlphaTradeZone / Pexels
Latest news from the Lords
