Bid-rigging: Welsh contractors to escape investigation

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) will not extend its investigation into anti-competitive tendering practices into Wales, despite calls from politicians there.

The OFT alleged that 112 companies were involved in rigging bids in construction when it issued its Statement of Objections last month.

Plaid Cymru Welsh Assembly member Dai Lloyd said that he had challenged the OFT over why it had not investigated Welsh contractors, but that it had declined to comment.

Dr Lloyd said: “This is the largest Competition Act investigation ever carried out in which OFT allege that some construction companies have been colluding to win large contracts at inflated prices – millions of pounds above the actual value of the project.

“Procurement processes for local authorities or otherwise need to be watertight and transparent. I will be calling on the First Minister to impress these points upon the OFT and look forward to their response with interest.”