British builders are accused of price arrangement
19 April 2008About hundred civil engineering firms in the Great Britain are accused of swindle at reception of contracts on construction both in private and state sectors. These infringements have managed to tax bearers in millions pounds sterling.
Charges have been put forward after lead by antimonopoly body of the Great Britain (Office of Fair Trading, OFT) investigations in result of which it has been revealed that 112 firms, among which such building giants as Balfour Beatty and Carillion are, have entered cartel arrangement according to which they overestimated cost of civil work at reception of contracts.
During investigation 240 cases, when firms entered arrangement for rising prices during tenders, has been revealed. A part of firms, as OFT declares, have agreed on “compensatory payments” to the suffered customers, who can give accounts.
The firms which have got into the “cartel” list have 30 days to deny charges. All cartels’-members will be fined for the sum up to 10 % from annual turnover. Penalties for the firms cooperating with OFT on this business will be reduced.
