October 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will consider the way forward for UK digital economy.
Discussion will focus on the priorities for policy and regulation to support a dynamic market that works for the sector, consumers and the wider economy.
The agenda also looks at options for the remit and powers of a new Digital Markets Unit to address digital competition issues put forward in last year’s Unlocking digital competition Furman Review.
The discussion at a glance:
- the Digital Markets Unit - implementing the Furman Review proposal of the new body
- international policy and regulation - latest developments and their impact on digital markets in the UK, and on multinational engagement and coordination of regulatory initiatives
- UK regulation - the evolving role of the CMA in this area, as well as the regulatory tools available the Authority and priorities as the UK negotiates its future trading relationship with the EU
- the digital economy market - looking forward:
- key trends in M&A - the impact on competition, consumer choice and pace of innovation of acquisition of tech start-ups by larger online platforms and big tech companies
- barriers to entry - faced by prospective market entrants
- the digital advertising market - including how consumer data is collected and handled - and the impact of many of the large companies owning companies along the value chain
- COVID-19 - the short and long term impacts of the pandemic on markets and competition, looking at consumer behaviour, business supply chains, and the regulatory environment
A scan of relevant background and developments:
As well as the Furman Review, the discussion takes place in the context of:
- the CMA COVID-19 taskforce established to spot the emergence of harmful sales and pricing practices, issue warnings and take enforcement action, and advise government on how competition law might need to adapt during the crisis
- How should competition policy react to coronavirus? - the CMA Chairman’s report published by the IPPR on the potential contribution of competition policy to economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic
- the CMA’s digital markets strategy and Online platforms and digital advertising market study, which calls for the Government to introduce a new pro-competition regulatory regime to monitor major platforms funded by digital advertising
- the new Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum - which brings together the CMA, the ICO, and Ofcom to support the coordination of regulatory approaches in online services
- Digital Markets Taskforce - Calls for evidence from the CMA-led body commissioned by government to advise on the design and implementation of pro-competitive measures for digital markets
- Closer to consumers - competition and consumer protection for the 2020s - the Chief Executive of the CMA outlining how its approach to regulation is evolving
- Online advertising - the DCMS review of regulation
- Zero rate of VAT for electronic publications - announced in the budget earlier this year and brought forward as a result of the coronavirus pandemic
- Digital Services Tax - a 2% tax on the revenues of search engines, social media services and online marketplaces which derive value from UK users being introduced in the UK -
- Smart Data Review - proposals around increasing interoperability and transferability of consumer data across a range of sectors
- EU competition law - market definition notice - the European Commission’s consultation aimed at ensuring competition laws are fit for the digital age
The agenda:
- Competition and regulation in the digital space - the current state of play and key developments
- Assessing competition in the digital economy
- Addressing competition issues in digital markets - innovation, consumer benefit, and the future regulatory framework
- Key regulatory priorities - the evolving role of the CMA in taking forward the digital markets strategy
- Next steps for policy - international engagement, developing the digital markets unit, and taking forward the review of online advertising regulation
- Competition in digital advertising - the market position of online platforms, the impact of consolidation in the value chain, and the utilisation and handling of consumer data
Policy officials attending:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.
This conference looks no different. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, and officials from the Cabinet Office; the Competition & Markets Authority; HM Treasury; BEIS; the DCMS; Ofcom; the National Audit Office; the Government Legal Department; the Government Legal Profession; the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation; the Department for Transport; DWP; the Information Commissioner's Office; the Intellectual Property Office; and the Welsh Government.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
