LOBBY group the Forum of Private Business has welcomed government plans for a “one-in, one- out” regulatory system to stem the growing burden of red tape on small firms.
But it warned the will must be there to follow the plans through.
Forum head of campaigns Jane Bennett said: “The concept of introducing regulations only as they are needed is absolutely necessary given the existing burden on small businesses, but it will require a change in behaviour for many government departments.”
“As with many of the coalition’s new policies, the follow-through is what will be important.”
Last year, the Forum’s “cost of compliance” poll revealed that 81% of businesses surveyed believe the existing regulatory framework is not robust, unrealistic and unfair.
It found that red tape costs smaller employers £9.3bn a year in internal costs, mainly time spent on administration, and found they spend an average of 37 hours per month complying with the law.
