PENNON GROUP
11 January 2022
CMA decision – Bristol Water merger
Further to Pennon's announcement on 22 December 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) has announced that it considers there are reasonable grounds that the undertakings offered by Pennon might be accepted by the CMA under the Water Industry Act 1991 . Should undertakings be accepted by the CMA, this would enable the merger with Bristol Water to be cleared without reference to a phase 2 merger review.
In line with standard procedure, the CMA has confirmed that it will launch a consultation on the undertakings put forward by Pennon, which is expected to conclude by 7 March 2022. We will continue to work transparently and collaboratively with the CMA during this consultation process.