Nearly two thirds
of people in Britain agreed that they benefit from regulation in
their everyday lives and 70 per cent think that the benefits of
regulation outweigh the burdens, according to research published
today in a new report from the Department for Business.
The “Better regulation, better
benefits: getting the balance right” report, undertaken by the
Better Regulation Executive, looked at the benefits regulation
delivers and examined what factors help shape the public
perception of regulation. Through six detailed case studies it
examined how better regulation principles and practices deliver
a range of positive outcomes, such as through the National
Minimum Wage and the Smoke Free laws in public and working
places.
Ian Lucas, Better Regulation Minister, said:
“Britain has the best business environment in Europe, and one of
the best in the world, according to the World Bank. And regulation
makes a vital contribution to Britain’s economic growth,
protection of the environment and health and well being of its
citizens. But sometimes the way regulation is perceived in Britain
does not reflect the reality of the situation.
“Often regulation brings cost and inconvenience, much of which
impacts on business and especially small businesses. This is why
it is important to focus on making regulation as efficient as
possible and make sure benefits outweigh the costs. Better
regulation solutions are helping to make smarter laws with more
effective outcomes.”
Key stakeholders from across the business community, trade unions
and consumer groups, government and regulatory community signed up
to a joint statement today that signalled their support of the
better regulation agenda and its work to maximise benefits and
minimise costs.
Regulation has wide ranging and significant impacts not only on
the economy but virtually every aspect of our lives. Regulation
makes a difference by:
supporting common standards for products, which help lower
transaction costs and build trust, contributing around £5 billion
a year to the UK economy; improving health and life expectancy by
reducing emissions to air, including cutting sulphur oxides by 76%
and dust by 37% since 1998; reducing fatalities and injuries at
work, which have fallen by 70 per cent since 1974; andimproving
living standards and reducing inequality for the one million
people that benefit from the National Minimum Wage.
The report sets out the challenge as changing not only the way
government regulates but also the way people think about
regulation. Better understanding of the law can increase business
confidence and investment, improve compliance and promote respect.
Notes to Editors
1. The report, “Better Regulation, Better Benefits: Getting the
balance right”, is published today and can be found at www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53252.pdf
2. The report is published along with a joint statement from a
wide range of government, regulatory, business and consumer
organisations, supporting the proposition that “Better regulation
supports better outcomes”. This statement can be found at www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53233.pdf
3. The report draws on new research, “The Benefits of Regulation
– A public and business perceptions study”, commissioned jointly
by the Better Regulation Executive, the Environment Agency, the
Food Standards Agency and the Health and Safety Executive. This
can be found at www.berr.gov.uk/files/file53236.pdf
The case studies which the report draws on can be found at www.berr.gov.uk/files/fiile53251.pdf
4. The Better Regulation Executive is part of the Department for
Business, Innovation and Skills. It leads the Government’s
ambitious regulatory reform agenda, aiming to make life as simple
as possible for businesses, by changing, challenging and even
cutting existing and new regulation. For more information about
the Better Regulation Executive and its work, as well as chance to
contribute your ideas on how to change things, go to www.betterregulation.gov.uk
5. Any further information please contact Nic Fearon-Low on
020 7215 0782.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk