The former chairman of the United Kingdom’s competition regulator has urged the current government to strengthen oversight of major technology companies, criticizing the previous administration’s approach as insufficiently robust. Marcus Bokkerink, who was removed from his role by former Chancellor Rachel Reeves in January 2025, has called on the administration led by Prime Minister Andy Burnham to more vigorously enforce the powers granted to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.

The CMA was granted enhanced authority at the beginning of 2025 to act more swiftly against dominant technology firms, with the intention of promoting competition and reducing the UK’s reliance on foreign tech giants. However, Bokkerink contends that the watchdog’s enforcement under the Starmer-Reeves government has been too restrained, limiting opportunities for UK-based tech innovators to challenge established incumbents. According to Bokkerink, the Starmer administration took control of the CMA board and shifted its strategic focus, resulting in a slowdown of regulatory actions.

One significant example cited involves the CMA’s previous plans to designate Amazon and Microsoft’s cloud operations with “strategic market status,” which would have allowed the regulator to impose conduct requirements aimed at fostering competition and offering consumers greater choice. These plans were reportedly scrapped and replaced by voluntary commitments from the companies to reduce exit fees and enhance interoperability. Similarly, conduct requirements proposed for Google and Apple’s mobile services were avoided.

Last month, the CMA ordered Google to grant publishers increased control over how their content is utilized, but Bokkerink criticized this measure as falling short of ensuring that publishers receive fair and reasonable terms, including equitable payment arrangements. The former chairman described these steps as basic and insufficient to fully address market imbalances.

A CMA spokesperson rejected the criticism, asserting that making a “swift impact” in digital markets remains a central priority. The spokesperson highlighted the authority’s record of actions aimed at promoting competition within search and mobile sectors as evidence of its commitment.

Bokkerink praised the new Burnham government for having a better grasp of how fair competition across technology infrastructure and services can spur economic growth and benefit both consumers and entrepreneurs. He advocated for a clear mandate to a revitalized CMA to unleash greater economic dynamism.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade remarked that under the leadership of Doug Gurr and Sarah Cardell, the CMA has undergone a notable transformation, improving its pace, predictability, proportionality, and operational processes.