CARETECH Holdings PLC, a major a provider of social care services in the UK confirmed last Friday (8) that Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) had unconditionally cleared the company's acquisition of Cambian.
The transaction was completed on October 19 last year.
“The CMA has cleared the completed acquisition by CareTech Holdings plc of Cambian Group plc,” said CMA in a release.
Cambian Group was taken over by CareTech for £372 million last year is one of the biggest providers of specialist behavioural health services for children in the UK. Its children's services include specialist education, residential care, foster care, and mental health services.
Cambian shareholders now own around 36 per cent of the enlarged company.
CareTech expects to save £5m in 2020 and £6m in 2021. It is also projects that it will cost £7.6m to achieve these synergies over that period.
Farouq Sheikh, executive chairman of CareTech said: “We are delighted by the CMA's decision and would like to place on record our appreciation to all involved during the CMA process particularly the executive teams at CareTech and Cambian.
“We will now move forward with the integration, creating value for all our stakeholders through the highest quality service offerings and significant synergies,” Sheikh added.
Founded in 1993, CareTech was listed on the London’s Stock Exchange AIM market in 2005, and revenues have grown from £18.2m in 2004 to £166m last year.
In an interview with the Asian Rich List (published by Eastern Eye) last year, Sheikh noted: “CareTech has continued to expand and evolve throughout its 24-year history. It supports approximately 2,000 adults and children with what it describes as a wide range of “complex needs” within nearly 250 services, including supported living pathways and foster care to individuals who need it.”
The business employs over 5,000 staff.
At the firm’s biggest division, Adult Learning Disabilities, sales rose from £87.7m to £101m.
As part of its social service initiatives, CareTech foundation last year announced that it would provide grants to charities Barnado’s and the British Asian Trust, each delivering £1m in partnerships.
UK footfall fell 1.8 per cent in September year-on-year, with high street visits down 2.5 per cent.
Consumer confidence dropped to -10.4 per cent in Q2 2025, its lowest level since early 2024.
Last year's Budget added £5bn in employment costs to the retail industry.
Job security sentiment declined by 4.8 percentage points, falling below the long-term average.
Footfall figures decline
Consumer caution ahead of the upcoming budget has led to a notable fall in UK high street footfall, as rising employment costs and subdued spending weigh heavily on retailers, according to new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
The BRC reported a slowdown in shopper visits across most retail locations, signalling growing concern among consumers over job security and personal debt.
London tube strikes in mid – month and disruption caused by storm Amy, has further reduced footfall in key shopping areas.UK footfall fell by 1.8 per cent in September compared with the same month last year, a sharper decline than the 0.4 per cent drop seen in August, according to BRC-Sensormatic data. High street visits were down 2.5 per cent year on year, while footfall at retail parks and shopping centres fell by 0.8year and 2 per cent respectively.
The decline comes as retailers brace for another challenging quarter, with chief executive Helen Dickinson warning that the government’s fiscal decisions are limiting their ability to invest. “Retailers’ ability to invest in local communities and high streets has been hampered by last year’s Budget, which added £5 bn in employment costs to the industry, in addition to a new packaging tax,” she said.
Consumer confidence weakens
Parallel data from Deloitte’s Consumer Confidence Index reinforces this cautious outlook. Consumer confidence fell by -2.6 percentage points to -10.4 per cent in Q2 2025, marking its lowest level since early 2024.
Sentiment around job security declined sharply by -4.8 percentage points, slipping below the long-term average for the first time in two years, while confidence regarding debt levels dropped by -3.7 percentage points, reflecting the burden of higher household bills and seasonal spending pressures.
Deloitte noted that sentiment about the economy remains deeply negative at -51per cent, far below the -32.5 per cent recorded a year ago. As households tighten budgets, essential spending has slipped, though consumers continue to prioritise discretionary experiences such as travel and holidays.
Linda Ellett, head of consumer, retail & leisure KPMG, observed that “cost continues to influence buying behaviour and price is the main purchasing driver for 68 per cent of people when buying everyday items.”
With food and utility inflation still biting, and employers under strain from higher national insurance and minimum wage costs, retailers are caught in a tightening squeeze. Retailers are now pinning hopes on a supportive November Budget to ease cost pressures and restore some confidence before the crucial Christmas trading period.
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