Agreements between undertakings, decisions by associations of undertakings or concerted practices which may affect trade within the United Kingdom and which have as their object or effect the prevention, restriction or distortion of competition within the United Kingdom are prohibited by Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998 (c. 41).

Where there are exceptional and compelling reasons of public policy to do so, the Secretary of State may exclude agreements or descriptions of agreements and conduct which is carried out in particular circumstances from the prohibitions contained in Chapter I. This Order revokes the following instruments which were made by the Secretary of State in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, in order to provide exclusions in relation to the Chapter I prohibition—

• The Competition Act 1998 (Health Services for Patients in England) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/368);

• The Competition Act 1998 (Solent Maritime Crossings) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/370);

• The Competition Act 1998 (Health Services for Patients in Wales) (Coronavirus) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/435).

This Order also revokes the Competition Act 1998 (Groceries) (Public Policy Exclusion) Order 2020 (S.I. 2020/1568), which contained a sunset provision and expired at the end of 31 March 2021.

No impact assessment has been prepared for this Order as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary or public sectors is foreseen.

An Explanatory Memorandum is available with this Order on www.legislation.gov.uk. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.