BCC calls for government action on red tape
Fri, 09 Oct 2009
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has added its voice to calls for a limit to business regulation, which is said to be damaging the prospects of small firms across the UK.
David Frost, director-general of the organisation, said the burden of red tape is affecting British firms, meaning action is needed now to safeguard productivity as the recession shows signs of recovery.
He claimed that regulations have cost businesses £76 billion since 1998 and it is the responsibility of politicians to set them free.
Mr Frost said: "Given the current economic climate and the need to let business create jobs, there should be a moratorium on new employment laws."
His comments came after shadow chancellor George Osborne told the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester that no new business regulations would be introduced without a compensatory cut elsewhere should the Tories come to power at the next general election.
Meanwhile, Richard Lambert, director-general of the Confederation of British Industry, also welcomed Mr Osborne's proposal.
He said the Conservatives had "set out a rigorous-sounding process against which regulations old and new will be measured".
Last week, John Wright, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, warned ministers not to underestimate the pressures placed on UK firms by excessive bureaucracy.
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