The Government’s competition watchdog is extending its investigation into suspected breaches of competition law by seven major house builders.

The Competition and Markets Authority launched a probe last February after uncovering evidence during a far-reaching study into housing market delivery that indicated some house builders may be sharing commercially sensitive information with their competitors.

The original investigation period finished in December but has now been extended to May 2025 for “further investigation: including additional evidence gathering, and CMA analysis and review.”

The CMA added: “The CMA has not reached a view as to whether there is sufficient evidence of an infringement or infringements of competition law for it to issue a statement of objections to any party under investigation.”

The firms under investigation are:

• Barratt Redrow
• Bellway
• The Berkeley Group
• Bloor Homes Limited
• Persimmon
• Taylor Wimpey
• Vistry