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FPB urges EU to cut red tape burden

Published On 9 March 2007 at 10:15:06

As the heads of state meet for the EU Spring Council, a group representing the interest of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is urging the leaders to commit to cutting red-tape for business.

The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has asked that the European leaders agree to reform regulations that are putting an 'unfair' burden on the UK's SMEs.

Representing over 25,000 SMEs across the UK, the FPB has demanded that the heads of state increase the transparency in relation to how EU regulations are converted into national law.

In addition the organisation wants a 'discontinuity principle' to be introduced to reduce business uncertainty over pending legislation.

Finally, the group wants EU leaders to agree to greater scrutiny of impact assessment procedures and recognise that other regulation can be the best method for delivering policy objectives.

"The 27 member states must be committed to meeting the European Commission's target of a 25 per cent reduction in red tape affecting business," said the FPB's European spokesperson, Martin Smith.

"It is of no use to continue with the policy of simplifying or removing regulations that have no impact on running a company and then claiming a reduction in the burden of red tape."

Recent figures suggest that UK businesses spent £1.6 billion between 2005 and 2006 complying with government red tape.

 

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