The UK’s
regulatory framework is making good progress putting better
regulation principles into practice, according to a set of new
reports published today by the Better Regulation Executive.
The new reports, on the Equalities and Human Rights Commission
(EHRC), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Driver and Vehicle
Licensing Agency (DVLA), the Forestry Commission (FC) and the
Animals (Scientific Procedures) Division and Inspectorate (ASPI)
are part of a series of reviews of national regulators, and
examined how the regulators matched up to the principles of
effective regulation set out by Philip Hampton in 2005.
The EHRC’s report showed positive progress, highlighting a strong
and effective network of advisory committees to help develop
guidance for businesses and taking a proactive approach to making
all of their work risk-based. The report made a number of
recommendations to help the EHRC strengthen its work, including
better risk-targeting through improved use of intelligence and communication.
The CAA’s report reflected its strong performance noting the
excellent regulatory outcomes in the UK from the ‘partnership’
model of regulation between the CAA and aviation industry. It also
commented on how its technical staff offer extensive, constructive
advice to businesses and strong intelligence analysis of safety
data from the UK and abroad had resulted in well-informed
regulatory activity. The report also put forward a number of
recommendations to improve further their regulatory work,
including developing a stronger relationship with the Department
for Business regarding consumer-related aviation issues, and
increasing the clarity and accessibility of its guidance materials.
DVLA was praised for maintaining a high level of productive
stakeholder interaction, reducing burdens on businesses, and clear
evidence of risk based, intelligence- led investigations, and
pursuing prosecutions only after issuing advice and warnings. The
report recommended areas for strengthening its work, including
allowing businesses to apply for licences online and further
development of its fleet relicensing scheme to save businesses
more time and money.
The Forestry Commission report found that it was performing well
in many areas, such as a successful risk-based approach to
inspections, provision of clear, accessible and well-targeted
advice and consideration and adoption of a wide range of non-
regulatory approaches and delivery mechanisms to achieve effective
woodland management. The report also highlighted areas for
improvement for the Commission, including taking a more
comprehensive risk-based approach to its operations and exploring
how it can broaden its range of sanctions.
The report on the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Division and
Inspectorate, showed that they were an effective and
well-respected regulator providing advice that is valued and
respected by stakeholders, from industry, academic and the
voluntary sectors. It also highlighted the progress made in making
the revised EU Directive suitable for the UK. In contrast, despite
efforts to improve the licensing system, the quality of IT support
was affecting the processing of applications and the image of the
organisation. The report recommended urgent work to address this
issue as well as the improvement of the presentation of advice and
guidance through their website.
Notes to Editors
1. The reports published by the Better Regulation Executive can
be found at www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/bre/inspection-enforcement/implementing-principles/reviewing-regulators/HIR%20Reports/page52313.html
2. The review teams were drawn from the Better Regulation
Executive within the Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills and from government and the regulatory sector, including
the Insolvency Service, Human Fertilisation and Embryology
Authority, Financial Reporting Council, LBRO, Driving Standards
Agency, Natural England, Health and Safety Executive, Chartered
Institute for Environmental Health, Financial Services Authority,
Charity Commission and Gambling Commission.
3. The Hampton Implementation Review process, that will examine a
total of 31 national regulators, follow two independent reports by
Sir Philip Hampton and Professor Richard Macrory on making
inspection and enforcement of regulation more effective.
4. The Hampton Review in 2005 - led by Sir Philip Hampton -
recommended an end to the one size fits all approach to regulation
and that regulators should take a risk-based approach to
enforcement and information gathering. Among its findings were
that regulators should carry out inspections only when needed and
avoid unnecessary form-filling and duplication of effort or
information.
5. In 2006 Professor Richard Macrory's review of
penalties for failure to comply with regulatory obligations
recommended that regulators should focus on outcomes, rather than
action. He recommended that sanctions should be aimed at changing
the behaviour of non-compliant businesses and eliminating any
financial gain from non-compliance.
6. Examples of how individuals and businesses are benefiting from
changes to regulation can be found on www.betterregulation.gov.uk.
The site also invites suggestions for what else can be done to
reduce red tape.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk