| In the past decade alone, more than 100 new pieces of legislation — and countless individual regulations — have been introduced that have a direct affect on how businesses function.
The annuals costs of complying with regulations, covering everything from health and safety to money laundering and flexible working, has been estimated at almost £5bn per year in Scotland and £76bn across Britain as a whole.
Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Alan Mitchell said the regulation of business was necessary but it had to be done in a far more co-ordinated fashion than currently.
He said the Government had to be more careful when drawing up new legislation as the current regulations already contain contradictory and confusing rules.
Mr Mitchell said the Chamber of Commerce was attempting to quantify how great the regulatory burden actually was on businesses in Dundee and Angus by asking its members to reveal their red tape nightmares.
He said the feedback would allow the chamber to take an informed view of the subject and pass on its members concerns in forthcoming meetings with Scottish Finance Secretary John Swinney and Labour leader Iain Gray, as well as other politicians.
Mr Mitchell said it was imperative the productivity and creativity of firms was not stifled by an overbearing regulatory system.
He said, “This is not about business being anti-regulation. It is about necessary and effective regulation.
“There needs to be regulation but it is about the process of regulation and the way it is communicated.
“If we can achieve the same outcomes in terms of the protection of the environment, employees and public health, but at significantly less cost to business, then that frees up extra money that businesses can then spend.
“In the long term that gives benefits back to society as a whole.”
Anyone wishing to pass on their experiences of over-regulation in business should contact Mr Mitchell via alanmitchell@dundeeandanguschamber.co.uk |
