Business welcomes Government attempt to unravel red tape

Government proposals to lessen the burden of red tape on small businesses was welcomed today by the Institute of Directors (IoD). The Action Plan for Small Businesses, announced by the Department of Trade and Industry, includes proposals for common commencement dates for certain types of regulations.

James Walsh, Parliamentary Adviser at the IoD, said:

"A single start date for regulations is a step that the IoD has consistently supported, so we welcome the Government's decision to adopt it as policy.

"There is still a huge amount to be done - not least to reduce the volume of unnecessary business regulation, but this announcement is a step in the right direction.

"We look forward to working with the Government to make a success of the new system and to reducing the burden of regulation in still more ways."

Ends

8.1.04 No.224

Contact Points:

Richard Taylor, Press Officer, tel. 020 7451 3264

Mobile and out of hours. 07721 734886

David Marshall, Director of Public Affairs, tel: 020 7451 3263

Mobile and out of hours: 07764 883420

Email. press@iod.com

Web. www.iod.com

Note to editors

The Institute of Directors is a non-party political independent organisation with around 55,000 members. In addition to its wide range of business services, the IoD provides an effective voice to represent the interests of its members to government and key opinion-formers. It also brings the experience of business leaders to bear on the conduct of public affairs.