Sky/Fox Merger

Debate between John Grogan and Karen Bradley

Tuesday 12th September 2017 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

In due course.

[John Grogan (Keighley) (Lab)]

One recent precedent—it is from less than a decade ago—was when the competition regulator, on competition grounds, forced Sky to sell 17.5% of ITV. Is it not inconceivable that, in six months’ time, the CMA will wave through a merger that gives one family control of not just two large newspapers but Sky News, a national radio channel, and radio news supplied to every commercial radio station in our country?

[Karen Bradley]

I have set out that I am minded to refer the decision to the CMA for a six-month inquiry as part of the terms of the Enterprise Act. These will be matters for the CMA, should I make a final decision to make that referral.