Question

direct line have been able to offer competitive rates by cutting out​

Answer 1

From a business perspective when we see, the first main thing that one needs to notice is that what strategies and plans are the competitors doing.

Hence, the organization or the company invests a lot of money in the marketing team, strategy team to take their lead up. Hence, the middle man is able to offer different competitive rates by cutting out the rivalry cost.

Rivalry cost is nothing but the competitive cost that can be benefited. Thus, the middle man is concluded as the answer.