DBT Draft Strategic Steer to the Competition and Markets Authority - Consultation
Every Parliament, the Government publishes a strategic steer to the Competition and Markets Authority, setting out its priorities for the regulator. The Department for Business and Trade has opened a consultation on this Government’s draft proposals, which is open for comment until 6 March 2025.
Economic growth is a priority for this Government, and accordingly this steer establishes how the CMA could support and contribute to this; “the government expects the CMA’s approach to clearly, and unambiguously, reflect the need to enhance the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for international investment”.
The deadline for submitting responses to the consultation is 9:30am on 6 March 2025. techUK members with an interest in these findings can respond to the CMA directly via [email protected].
Using CMA Tools Proportionately, with Growth and Investment in Mind
The Government has outlined three key considerations for the CMA, when determining where to conduct investigations. It should prioritise pro-growth and pro-investment interventions, focus on conditions that particularly impact the UK markets, and support growth in the Industrial Strategy’s eight key sectors.
The Government also encourages the CMA to work collaboratively, both with UK-based and international regulators, ensuring actions are proportionate, avoiding duplication or delays.
Regarding the regulator’s new powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMMCA), the CMA should use the regime “flexibly, proportionately and collaboratively”, to facilitate opportunities for growth. These powers should also be exercised to improve consumer trust and confidence, which would further promote economic growth.
Minimise Uncertainty by Engaging with those Affected by the CMA’s Work and Report on Impact of Work
The CMA should provide “proactive, transparent, timely, predictable and responsive” engagement with business, engaging collaboratively to resolve issues. The Government emphasise the need to ensure procedural guidance is clear and transparent for business, whilst retaining a balance between the need for public transparency and the market impact of public communications on regulatory work.
techUK's Reaction: A Welcome Focus on Growth and Innovation
techUK is pleased to see the DBT emphasis on economic growth which techUK have routinely called for. The commitment to ensuring a level playing field for businesses of all sizes, including innovative start-ups and scale-ups, is a crucial step in maintaining the UK’s competitiveness. However, the technology sector is calling for a more detailed articulation of how the CMA intends to implement its strategy in practice. The CMA’s newly granted powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) provide significant tools to regulate competition in digital markets, but their execution must be proportionate and transparent.
Next Steps
DBT will consult on the draft strategic steer up until 9.30am 6 March 2025. The Government has committed both to supporting the CMA to deliver on this steer and to issuing official responses to CMA market recommendations within 90 days, under the basis that without “compelling policy reasons” they intend to accept these. The CMA’s framework agreement will be updated in two ways: firstly, to include the relevant reporting requirements included in the steer; and, secondly, to require regular feedback from CMA stakeholders, intended to provide published evidence of the efficacy of CMA decision-making, transparency and commercial awareness.
Samiah Anderson
Head of Digital Regulation, techUK
Samiah Anderson
Head of Digital Regulation, techUK
Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Regulation at techUK.
With over six years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.
Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.
Dani joined techUK in February 2025 as a Policy Manager in the Digital Regulation team.
Prior to this, Dani worked in political monitoring where she was a consultant for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In this role, she developed a strong understanding of parliamentary procedure, closely following all of the major developments in the tech centre and working with several key stakeholders and regulators.
She has an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Bristol and an MPhil in Modern European History from the University of Cambridge.
Outside of tech, Dani has a strong interest in addiction policy, particularly towards drugs, having written her dissertation on the topic as well as several subsequent research projects. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and following all things motoring, whether that be F1, MotoGP or Formula E.
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Tech Policy Conference 10 March
techUK's annual flagship Policy Conference to bring together senior policymakers from across Westminster, Whitehall and beyond with our membership to discuss the biggest challenges facing the sector and the most pressing topics for the industry.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Antony Walker is deputy CEO of techUK, which he played a lead role in launching in November 2013.
Antony is a member of the senior leadership team and has overall responsibility for techUK’s policy work. Prior to his appointment in July 2012 Antony was chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK’s independent advisory group on broadband policy. Antony was closely involved in the development of broadband policy development in the UK since the BSG was established in 2001 and authored several major reports to government. He also led the development of the UK’s world leading Open Internet Code of Practice that addresses the issue of net neutrality in the UK. Prior to setting up the BSG, Antony spent six years working in Brussels for the American Chamber of Commerce following and writing about telecoms issues and as a consultant working on EU social affairs and environmental issues. Antony is a graduate of Aberdeen University and KU Leuven and is also a Policy Fellow Alumni of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University.
As Head of Public Affairs, Alice supports techUK’s strategic engagement with Westminster, Whitehall and beyond. She regularly works to engage with ministers, members of the UK’s parliaments and senior civil servants on techUK’s work advocating for the role of technology in the UK’s economy as well as wider society.
Alice joined techUK in 2022. She has experience working at both a political monitoring company, leading on the tech, media and telecoms portfolio there, and also as an account manager in a Westminster-based public affairs agency. She has a degree from the University of Sheffield in Politics and Philosophy.
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Regulation at techUK.
With over six years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.
Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.
Audre joined techUK in July 2023 as a Policy Manager for Data. Previously, she was a Policy Advisor in the Civil Service, where she worked on the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, and at HM Treasury on designing COVID-19 support schemes and delivering the Financial Services and Markets Bill. Before that, Audre worked at a public relations consultancy, advising public and private sector clients on their communications, public relations, and government affairs strategy.
Prior to this, Audre completed an MSc in Public Policy at the Korea Development Institute and a Bachelor's in International Relations and History from SOAS, University of London. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, learning about new cultures through travel and food, and going on adventures.
Mia focuses on shaping a policy environment that fosters the expansion of the UK tech sector while maximising the transformative potential of technology across all industries.
Prior to joining techUK, Mia worked as a Senior Policy Adviser at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) within the Policy Unit.
Mia holds an MSc in International Development from the University of Manchester and a BA(Hons) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team as the Team Assistant in February 2023 and as Public Affairs Manager in September 2023
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
Oliver is the team assistant for the Policy and Public Affairs teams, joining techUK in November of 2023. He assists the teams admistrative support, communication, and event production.
Prior to working at techUK, Oliver studied at Swansea and Bristol universities, attaining a masters in Policy Research. During this time he competed in debating competitions around the country where he discussed and deliberated various policy issues. Between his studies Oliver acted as a student assistant in mental health research for the SMaRteN student network.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the Local and General Election and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation. As well as working for multiple charities on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from University of Nottingham.
