Bin merger canned

thE competition watchdog has blocked a merger between two bin collection companies amid concerns it could drive up council tax.

the Competition and Markets authority (CMa) said it had provisionally found that a tie-up between Veolia and Suez would bring less competition for several waste and water management services, leading to more expensive and lower quality outcomes, which in turn could push up council tax bills.

Stuart Mcintosh, of the CMa, said: ‘We’ve heard from a number of customers who are concerned that this merger could reduce competition, leading to higher prices or poorer services. We share those concerns.’