Author Archives: HM Government

Earlier this month, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said that it would refer the deal for an in-depth investigation unless Euro Car Parts offered acceptable ways of addressing competition concerns.

Euro Car Parts has chosen not to offer these and so the merger will now be referred for an in-depth investigation by an independent group of CMA panel members (known as phase 2). The deadline for the final decision is 5 November 2017.

Both companies supply car parts to independent garages across the UK, and the CMA found that they compete closely with each other. Therefore, the CMA is concerned that the merger could substantially reduce competition in a number of local areas, as well as for some large customers that purchase car parts on a national basis. Customers could lose out if their suppliers are no longer competing with each other to offer the best deal.

The phase 2 investigation group will take a fresh look at the merger before coming to its decision.

Further information about the investigation is available on the case page.

In light of recent violence around Brak Al-Shatti airbase in Libya’s south which again risks escalating into renewed conflict, Taking note of relevant UN Security Council resolutions(UNSCRs), including UNSCRs 2213, 2259 and 2278, and our statement of 11 April 2017 concerning violence around Tamanhint airbase, Reiterating our determination to support the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA) in order to alleviate the suffering of the Libyan people,

We condemn any efforts to change the situation on the ground in Libya by force, which only undermines recent political dialogue and prolongs the suffering of the Libyan people. We are concerned by reports of summary executions of combatants and civilians.

Perpetrators of such criminal acts must be brought to justice. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from further escalation.