Regulatory reform gains new impetus
The latest steps towards improving the way that regulations are managed and implemented have been announced by the government.
Introducing the moves, John Hutton, the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, said: “We are committed to reducing the burden on business of regulation. But we also want to make it easier for businesses to meet their legal obligations with clearer guidance and better communication.
“We have put regulatory reform at the heart of our efforts to create the right conditions for business success by putting the Better Regulation Executive in the new department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.”
The announcement included a number of proposals.
The Secretary of State and Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Business and Regulatory Reform, will work with key members in both Houses to reduce current regulation and scrutinise the flow of new regulation.
The existing draft Regulators’ Compliance Code is to be strengthened with the introduction of an explicit duty on regulators to review unnecessary burdens on business and reduce them.
The work that the Better Regulation Executive (BRE) is doing with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on simplifying and reducing the costs associated with health and safety policy for low-risk businesses is to be better publicised.
Also to get publicity is the launch by the HSE of risk assessments for convenience stores, newsagents, general office cleaning contractors, and estate agents.
As from October 2007, there is to be a more business-friendly approach to handling and communicating regulatory change based around the twice-yearly Common Commencement Dates.
The government has also committed itself to improving the way it produces guidance on regulations that have an impact on business.
Business gave the announcement a broad welcome.
The CBI’s Deputy Director-General, John Cridland said: “This is a positive start from the new Department for Business that gives fresh energy to the regulatory reform agenda.
“Critically, the proposals include practical measures that should deliver time and cost savings on the ground and reward the vast majority of well-managed, compliant businesses. There is a healthy mix of carrot and stick to ensure regulators keep to their side of the deregulatory bargain.”
Ian Peters, the EEF’s director of external affairs, commented: “Whilst business will rightly remain sceptical until it sees firm results, there is now a real head of steam building across Whitehall to deliver on the Better Regulation agenda. It is however essential that all departments across government continue to focus on achieving the 25% reduction of administrative burdens. Business will be examining closely what progress they have made in the autumn.”
Date:26 July 2007
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