Land Covenants: Supermarket Chains

Lord Fox Excerpts

Wednesday 4th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Stockwood (Lab)]

I am assuming from the noble Lord’s question that he does not have Aldi and Lidl advantage cards as well. Just to acknowledge, the CMA is currently doing its work, including on a consultation to get feedback on how Aldi and Lidl should be treated. We acknowledge that the argument for exemption does distort the market, but the independence of the CMA must be respected. I share the noble Lord’s views that it seems right on face value that Aldi and Lidl should be brought into that same regime.

[Lord Fox (LD)]

My Lords, as well as the issue of Aldi and Lidl, there is also the issue of almost complete non-compliance with the 2010 order system. The CMA has identified multiple repeated breaches across all of the seven majors, as mentioned by the noble Lord. So, in addition to having this system, it is entirely unenforceable because the CMA has no legal powers to fine on this issue. The whole thing is being brought into disrepute by the absence of any real enforcement. Can the Minister confirm that the digital markets Act gives powers that could be taken by the CMA to fine on this issue, and will that be one of the issues that the CMA will be reviewing?

[Lord Stockwood (Lab)]

The CMA has a broad primary and competition regulatory framework. It is equipped with the powers to investigate and to act against anti-competitive conduct. On the specific question about the digital Bill, I will have to consult with colleagues and come back to the noble Lord; I am not familiar with it.