The new European commissioners have been urged by British business to live up to their promise on cutting red tape.

Speaking ahead of a two day visit to Brussels for talks with the commissioners, Sir Digby Jones said that there was a "new mood" in Europe following the replacement of the previous commission led by Romano Prodi.

The CBI director general said, however, that there were still concerns about particular policies and highlighted the social policy agenda as a key issue.

"I detect a new mood in Brussels and I am looking forward to meeting the new commissioners who are responsible for implementing that change," he said.

"A reform-minded Commission can only succeed if the heads of all the member states are  committed to changing things on the ground at home."

He also called for the European Commission, parliament and national governments to show "real commitment" to polices designed to make the EU a more competitive economy.

The CBI chief said he welcomed the Commission's plans to ensure the controversial chemical safety directive, known as REACH, does not place unnecessary burdens on business.

But there were concerns that the current proposals for a temporary agency workers directive, as well as changes to the working time directive, could "run counter to achieving this objective".