The Government’s competition watchdog has set out plans to ban cement companies from issuing generic price rise letters to the industry.

The new measure, which is now out to industry consultation, is one of a series of actions aimed at raising competition in the aggregates, cement and ready-mix concrete markets following an in depth probe by the Competition Commission last year.

Instead, any future price announcement letters will have to be specific and relevant to contractors receiving them, including setting out the last unit price paid, the new unit price, and specific details of any other fees and charges that apply to each firm.

At the end of July. Lafarge Tarmac sold one of its cement plants and Hanson sold one of its ground granulated blast furnace slag plants under instruction from the competition watchdog.

The CMA is also planning consultation on proposals restricting the disclosure and publication of cement market data.