West Midland business leaders have joined forces with a national regulatory organisation in a new bid to slash the burden of business red tape.
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group – which renewed its call for red tape to be cut in the Budget – has revealed that British business is facing an astonishing £23 billion just to deal with a flood of employment legislation in the next four years.
As well as taking the Government to task for attempting to hit business with such an eye-watering sum, the Chamber has joined forces with the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO).
The LBRO – based in Birmingham – says that its brief is to “improve the way local regulation is delivered to ensure it results in the right outcomes for everyone – business, the general public and the environment.”
The organisation’s chairman, Clive Grace, said: “Businesses need better regulation to create and maintain a successful business climate.
“Cutting red tape is critical in enabling UK businesses to maximise their potential as drivers of economic growth and innovation.”
Chamber business services director Russell Jeans said that despite many pledges by Government to cut red tape, the legislative burden continued to grow.
Mr Jeans added: “The Government claims business growth is top of the agenda, yet UK firms will be hit with huge costs once these new regulations come into force.
“Companies cannot generate growth and create jobs when they are facing a £23 billion bill, just to implement new employment legislation.
“These new regulations, such as changes to the right to request flexible working, paternity leave, and the abolition of the default retirement age, will leave employers confused and distract them from growing their business.
“Unless the Government reduces this kind of red tape, we will continue to have high levels of unemployment and could end up derailing the recovery.”
* Has your company been blighted by red tape? Email us at graeme.brown@birminghampost.net
