On April 15, 2026, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a Final Infringement Notice to two major UK driving-school businesses owned by British motoring association, the AA. The notice—which was issued following a settlement with the AA—marks the CMA’s first direct enforcement action for a substantive breach of consumer law under the UK’s new enforcement regime. The investigation, opened in November 2025, concluded swiftly. The CMA ordered the AA to refund more than £760,000 (approximately $1 million) to its customers and pay a fine of £4.2 million (approximately $5.7 million) for “drip” pricing practices, representing the first use of the CMA’s new powers to impose direct fines and order consumer redress for breaches of UK consumer law.
Continue Reading CMA Drives On with New Consumer Protection Powers: CMA Secures Consumer Refunds and Issues Fines over Drip PricingHedi Thlibi
Price Check: The UK’s New Consumer Protection Push
By Deirdre Carroll, Andrew Morrison, Tom Evans & Hedi Thlibi on
Posted in Regulatory
The UK’s antitrust and consumer agency—the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)—has announced its first enforcement actions under the country’s new consumer protection regime. On November 18, 2025, the CMA opened eight investigations into various pricing practices, issued advisory letters to 100 businesses across 14 sectors, and published new price transparency guidance. The actions send a clear message: the CMA is ready to deploy its new, enhanced powers to tackle business practices that it believes are the most harmful to consumers.
Continue Reading Price Check: The UK’s New Consumer Protection Push