Businesses are
being urged to do more to help themselves when it comes to cutting
red tape after a national survey revealed that many firms are
finding it harder going than ever.
The call comes from the public body responsible for simpler local
regulation, LBRO, following research that found over a third of
businesses (37 per cent) believe it’s taking more time than ever
to comply with the rules.
According to the survey by the National Audit Office (NAO),
although some aspects of complying with regulation have become
less burdensome over the last year, few regard it as having become
easier or less time-consuming.
LBRO Chair Clive Grace said: “Local and national Government is
making genuine and determined efforts to simplify regulation and
reduce the costs of compliance across a broad swathe of areas such
as health and safety, environmental health and trading standards.
"We think business people can also do their bit to help
themselves by engaging with a number of initiatives that will
improve their relationships with local regulators, and make a
significant reduction in the time and costs associated with
compliance."
Businesses can take part in Primary Authority agreements, which
bring together firms with multiple sites into partnership with a
single local authority to handle all their regulatory
responsibilities, saving duplication of effort between different
authorities; time and money.
They can also take part in Trading Places, a kind of ‘get to know
you’ project that encourages closer contact between businesses and
their local regulators, and gives enforcement officers the
opportunity to see the impact of their decisions by spending time
with local companies.
Dr Grace said: "While there are undoubtedly grounds for
simpler regulations and systems, the NAO’s report is about
perceptions. If more businesses were to engage more fully with
their regulators and get involved with these initiatives, I think
some would see a big improvement in their experience.
"They should look on their local authority regulators as
a source of help and advice. Honest businesses welcome good
straightforward regulatory systems because they allow them to set
themselves apart from that tiny number of operators who have no
regard for safety, consumer protection or the environment."
The NAO survey found improvements since 2007 in businesses’
perceptions of individual aspects of complying with regulation.
Fewer now find completing the relevant paperwork a burden,
compared with 2007. However, the majority of businesses surveyed
(over 60 per cent) thought the administration needed to
demonstrate compliance was an obstacle - only one per cent felt
that the effort of complying had become less time consuming in the
last year.
Notes to Editors
1. The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) helps local
authorities improve their environmental health, trading standards,
fire safety and licensing services – reducing burdens on
businesses that comply with the law while targeting those who
flout it. It was incorporated as a government-owned limited
company in May 2007. Following the commencement of the Regulatory
Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 on 1 October 2008, it now
operates as an executive non-departmental public body, accountable
to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills through the
Better Regulation Executive. LBRO is governed by an independent
Board, has a staff of around 25 and is based in central
Birmingham. Our remit covers the whole of the UK and we liaise
closely with the devolved administrations to ensure our work in
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is appropriate. For further
information please visit www.lbro.org.uk
2. The LBRO Conference - ‘Working together for better local
regulation’ will take place on the 19 November 2009 at the Hilton,
London Metropole Hotel. This essential conference will explore
national government’s vision for the future of better regulation
policy. Delegates will hear from high level speakers including:
Karren Brady, former Managing Director, Birmingham City Football
Club; Ben Page, Chief Executive, Ipsos MORI UK and Ireland; and
Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive, Health and Safety Executive. To
book your place at this event please visit: http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/sa257/
Contacts:
Local Better Regulation Office
nds.lbro@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Jo Barker.
Phone: 0121 226 4019
Jo.barker@lbro.org.uk
Roland Curtis
Phone: 0121 226 4038
roland.curtis@lbro.org.uk