Cross-sectoral cooperation between regulators The use of regulatory and competition powers; new investment in UK infrastructure, and consumer welfare

Price, Richard (2014): Cross-sectoral cooperation between regulators The use of regulatory and competition powers; new investment in UK infrastructure, and consumer welfare. Published in: (31 March 2014)

Abstract

Economic regulation and competition have a big role in helping to ensure investment is efficient, and to reconcile the interests of consumers and investors. In this context, regulatory coherence and stability – the theme of today’s conference - has rarely been so important. This paper discusses: • the relationship between competition and regulation, and the way regulators use their powers; • the importance of independent regulation in ensuring efficient service delivery for consumers, particularly against a background of major investments in UK infrastructure; and • how the regulators are working together to improve the effectiveness, consistency and efficiency of economic regulation.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: competition, economic regulation, investment, infrastructure, utilities
• Subjects: D - Microeconomics > D1 - Household Behavior and Family Economics > D18 - Consumer Protection; K - Law and Economics > K2 - Regulation and Business Law > K21 - Antitrust Law; K - Law and Economics > K2 - Regulation and Business Law > K23 - Regulated Industries and Administrative Law; L - Industrial Organization > L4 - Antitrust Issues and Policies; L - Industrial Organization > L4 - Antitrust Issues and Policies > L43 - Legal Monopolies and Regulation or Deregulation; L - Industrial Organization > L5 - Regulation and Industrial Policy > L51 - Economics of Regulation

References

Competition and Markets Authority: ‘Baseline’ annual report on concurrency (April 2014), and websites of the Office for Fair Trading and the Competition Commission.

Amelia Fletcher: Privatisation, economic regulation and competition in the utilities: Have we got the balance right?; Beesley Lecture Series, 14 November 2013; pp 9-10.

Global Competition Review: ‘The painful birth of el super regulador’, 17 December 2013.

HM Treasury: National Infrastructure Plan 2013; December 2013, chapter 2.

Nambarro LLP: Nabarro Infrastructure Index - Attracting Investment

World Economic Forum: Global Competitiveness Report 2013-2014