Stephen McDonald

Head of Economics

Latest articles from Stephen

Complaints and redress in veterinary services
Policy research paper

Complaints and redress in veterinary services

34 min read
Policy submission

The CMA's Remedies Working Paper for its market investigation in veterinary services

Which? response to the CMA’s consultation on the Vets market investigation: remedies working paper

1 min read
By Fair Means or Foul?
Policy research paper

By Fair Means or Foul?

Consumer Attitudes towards Dynamic Pricing

26 min read
Policy submission

DBT's consultation on the resale of live events tickets - Which? response

Which? response to DBT's Putting Fans First - A consultation on the resale of live events tickets

3 min read
Policy submission

Competition and Markets Authority Draft Annual Plan 2025 to 2026

Which? response to the CMA's consultation on its draft annual plan for 2025 to 2026 emphasising the importance of the CMA making effective use of both its consumer protection and competition powers, including the new powers provided through the DMCC Act, to protect consumers

2 min read
Consumer Policy for Economic Growth
Policy paper

Consumer Policy for Economic Growth

In this collection of five essays with contributions from leading business voices, we set out the important ways in which consumer policy can be used to support economic growth

2 min read
Policy research paper

Decoy offers and consumer choice

Experimental evidence on the impact of decoy broadband packages. 

27 min read
Policy research paper

Loyalty Schemes and Member-only Price Promotions

A policy research report exploring member only promotions at supermarkets and major health and beauty retailers

29 min read
Policy submission

The CMA's Issues Statement for its market investigation in veterinary services

Which? response to the CMA’s Issues Statement for its Market Investigation into the supply of veterinary services in the UK

1 min read
Policy submission

Digital Markets Competition Regime Guidance

Which?'s response to the Competition and Markets Authority consultation on its draft guidance

1 min read
Policy submission

The CMA's proposed Market Investigation Reference for veterinary services

Which? details our support for the CMA's proposed Market Investigation Reference into veterinary services

1 min read
Consumer harm in veterinary services
Policy research paper

Consumer harm in veterinary services

32 min read
Priority Places for Insulation Index: Mapping the UK’s Home Insulation Needs
Policy research paper

Priority Places for Insulation Index: Mapping the UK’s Home Insulation Needs

Which? has developed an index to identify local areas by need for insulation by combining data on housing stock and the socio-economic and health indicators of the local population

29 min read
The benefit of certainty
Policy research paper

The benefit of certainty

Valuing consumer preferences for fixed price broadband contracts

54 min read
Policy submission

DWP consultation on Ending the proliferation of deferred small pots - Which? response

Which?'s response to DWP's consultation on its proposed automated consolidation solution to address the growth of deferred small pots

1 min read
Customer knowledge and understanding of mid-contract price rises
Insight article

Customer knowledge and understanding of mid-contract price rises

6 min read
Consumer Protections and Economic Growth
Policy paper

Consumer Protections and Economic Growth

This report sets out how effective consumer protections can support economic growth by encouraging competition and innovation in markets. Good consumer protections play a vital role in fostering a well-functioning market economy, where firms compete fairly by becoming more efficient, innovative and ultimately more productive. They can also engender confidence in consumers to try new firms, products and services in ways which can benefit businesses that want to grow

25 min read
Policy submission

CMA consultation on Draft guidance on the application of the Chapter I prohibition in the Competition Act 1998 to environmental sustainability agreements - Which? response

Which? welcomes the CMA’s publication of this draft guidance

1 min read
Policy research paper

Consumers in Northern Ireland 2023

A cost of living crisis briefing

10 min read
Policy research paper

Consumers in Scotland 2023

A cost of living crisis briefing

9 min read