Businesses to have more say over how they are regulated

Businesses that are unhappy with the way their sector is regulated can now contact regulators and government ministers to push for changes.

Business Minister Michael Fallon says he wants to give companies a greater say in how their sector is run.

The original Focus on Enforcement initiative had some success in improving the system but was run entirely by civil servants. The new initiative is called ‘Business Focus on Enforcement’ and will allow input from businesses and trade associations which have become frustrated by unnecessary burdens, inconsistent advice and unhelpful guidance from regulators.

They will now be able to raise their concerns and present their case for change directly to the regulators.

Mr Fallon said: “We are re-shaping the way regulators work with business, so that upholding standards does not act as an unnecessary barrier to growth. Rather than relying solely on government to achieve this, we are putting the private sector in the driving seat.

“Harnessing trade bodies’ knowledge, networks and first-hand experience will allow us to get straight to the issues and deliver the right results for business.”

Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, will help run a pilot scheme to encourage trade associations and business groups to propose reform.

Mr Scuoler said: “All good businesses understand the added value of well-thought out regulation, and experience the frustrations of poorly created or badly implemented regulation.

“This is another step forward, towards lighter-touch and better targeted enforcement by regulators.”

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