Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill set to become law

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.

Consideration of amendments

The bill was considered by the House of Lords between 22 November 2023 and 26 March 2024 before returning to the House of Commons in a process known as parliamentary 'ping pong'. 

On Thursday 23 May, members of the Lords considered changes (PDF) made by MPs in the Commons on subjects including ticket resale sites.

Members agreed with Commons amendments and the bill received Royal Assent on 24 May, when it became an Act of Parliament (law).

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV.
• 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.

What's happened so far?

Consideration of amendments: Tuesday 14 May

On Tuesday 14 May, members of the Lords considered changes (PDF) made by MPs in the Commons. Subjects under consideration included: 

• giving challenger firms greater access to information about cases being considered by the CMA
• requiring the CMA to publish full statements, rather than summaries, of its notices of findings and enforcement orders.

Lords divisions 

There were two divisions (votes) on proposed changes to the bill.

Members voted to agree a change to impose restrictions on secondary ticketing facilities and voted against a change on appealing penalties imposed by the CMA.

Catch up

• Watch on Parliament TV.
• Read the Lords Hansard transcript.

Third reading: Tuesday 12 March

A chance for members to ‘tidy up' the bill, making small changes to ensure it is effective, took place during third reading on Tuesday 12 March.

Report stage

Detailed scrutiny continued at report stage on Monday 11 and Wednesday 13 March 2024.

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.

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