Mergers and Takeovers - Proposals for Reform

The hostile takeover of Cadbury by Kraft was a clear illustration of need for mergers and takeovers to be regulated in the public interest. The TUC believes that the best way to do this is through the establishment of a Mergers and Takeovers Commission that would operate at arm’s length from Government and whose role would be to assess whether or not proposed takeovers were in the long-term interest of the target company. Alternatively, the remit and membership of the current Competition Commission could be adapted to encompass a wider role than its current focus on competition. In either scenario, an appropriate referral system would need to be developed.

Download the full TUC briefing (PDF)