MANUFACTURERS’ association EEF is calling on Merseyside firms to join the Government’s Red Tape Challenge and help to cut the amount of bureaucracy they face.

The Government says it wants to simplify the regulatory landscape for businesses and has set up the challenge website so businesses can comment on laws affecting them.

In manufacturing, the challenge covers more than 120 regulations.

EEF regional director for the North West, David Ost, told LDP Business: “Global trends over the last two decades have created huge competitive pressures as well as major opportunities for companies on Merseyside.

“They have responded by moving their competitive offering away from cost, and towards innovation, new products and services. Underpinning this transformation has been the ability of companies to move quickly to respond to changing market circumstances and to seize new opportunities.

“A key factor in this speed of movement, and a traditionally important source of competitive advantage for Merseyside companies, is the UK’s labour market, which remains relatively flexible in comparison to some of our major competitors in the developed world.

“Manufacturers across Merseyside tell us that they achieve the flexibility that they and their employees are seeking by working increasingly closely with them.