The Office for the Internal Market (OIM) is that part of the Competition and Markets Authority (a non-ministerial department) responsible for overseeing the UK internal market. Its objective is to monitor the UK internal market by reporting every year and every 5 years on the functioning of the internal market to the Parliament of the United Kingdom and devolved parliaments,[1][2][3] and to conduct reviews and develop tools.[4]
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 21 September 2021 |
| Type | a part of a non-ministerial department |
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | The Cabot, 25 Cabot Square, London, E14 4QZ |
| Agency executives |
|
| Parent agency | Competition and Markets Authority |
| Key document | |
| Website | Office for the Internal Market (gov.uk) |
Any nation or business within the UK can seek information from the office regarding the UK internal market principles of non-discrimination and mutual recognition.[5] The office can issue fines and it has been proposed that this should be £30,000 for single fixed penalties and £15,000 for a daily rate penalties.[6]
History
editOn 17 December 2020, the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020 received royal assent. Part 4 of the Act sets out arrangements for the creation the Office of the Internal Market within the Competition and Markets Authority.[7]
On 22 March 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority appointed Rachel Merelie as the Senior Director for the OIM.[8] On 21 September 2021, the Office for the Internal Market officially opened and began operating as the advisory body for the UK internal market.[9]
Office for the Internal Market panel
editThe office for the internal market panel that is responsible for overseeing the UK internal market.[10] This panel consists of 7 members, including the panel chair, representatives of the devolved nations and independent members.[11]
On 1 September 2021 the UK Office for the Internal Market began the process of filling the position for the OIM panel and this was due to finish on 3 October 2021.[12] On 11 April 2022 Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng appointed Murdoch MacLennan as the first chair of the panel.[13]
On 20 December 2023 the Office for the Internal Market began appointing the first members of the panel, these include:
Reports
edit| Name | Report Date | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Overview of the UK Internal Market Report | 22 March 2022 | [17] |
| OIM Annual Report on the Operation of the Internal_Market 2022-23 | 21 March 2023 | |
| OIM Periodic Report 2023 | 21 March 2023 |
Requests to the OIM
editOn 8 August 2022 the UK Government asked the Office for the market to examine how a ban of peat in England would affect the UK internal market[18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "CMA: Office for the Internal Market launched to monitor UK internal market". Solicitors Journal. September 21, 2021.
- ^ "The Office for the Internal Market – What is it". Carson Mcdowell. 26 October 2021.
- ^ Powney, Mark (September 22, 2021). "Office for The Internal Market Opens for Business". BusinessNewsWales.
- ^ "CMA consults on new internal market role". Mirage News. May 27, 2021.
- ^ Shakesby, Chloe (September 21, 2021). "Government launches new Office for Internal Market to support post-Brexit operations". Bdaily News.
- ^ "UK Government seeks views on new Office for Internal Market". Mirage News. June 16, 2021.
- ^ "The UK Internal Market Bill and the Rule of Law". Law Societies' Joint Brussels Office. Law Society of England and Wales. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
- ^ "CMA Appoints Senior Director For The Office Of Internal Market". Competition Policy International. March 22, 2021.
- ^ "Next steps taken to support trade between UK nations". Mirage News. September 21, 2021.
- ^ "Domestic Market Opens". Eminetra. September 23, 2021.
- ^ "Response to the Competition and Markets Authority Draft Guidance for the Office for the Internal Market" (PDF). Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2021.
- ^ "Appointments". The Economist. September 1, 2021.
- ^ "Business Secretary appoints first Chair of Office for Internal Market Panel". Mirage News. April 11, 2022.
- ^ "Professor Suzanne Rab appointed as a panel member to the Office for the Internal Market (OIM)". Professor Suzanne Rab appointed as a panel member to the Office for the Internal Market (OIM) | Serle Court. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ^ "UEA Law professor appointed to Competition and Markets Authority". November 30, 2023.
- ^ "UK Gov Appoints New Members to Internal Market Panel". Mirage News. Retrieved 2023-12-30.
- ^ Sargeant, Jess (April 5, 2022). "The Office for the Internal Market's new analysis must help shape decisions". Institute for Government.
- ^ "OIM accepts landmark first request to examine proposed law change". Mirage News. August 8, 2022.