Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the Competition and Market Authority’s final report of March 24th 2026, what formula the Competition and Markets Authority used to determine the cap of £21 specifically for a first prescription.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is independent of Government and is responsible for remedies resulting from a market investigation. In its final report, the CMA set a £21 cap on first prescription fees based on evidence of fees charged across a large proportion of the veterinary services market. Full details of the CMA’s approach are set out in Part B of its final report (pages 262–311), which is available at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/veterinary-services-for-household-pets-final-decision-report