Regulation volumes too high, FSB warns

Dozens of new business regulations to be implemented this week will add to the unnecessary hours employers already spend dealing with government red tape, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), has warned.

While the FSB supports the concept of Common Commencement Dates, there is concern that the volume of new legislation to be released will overwhelm small businesses

New rules to be introduced this Wednesday (October 1st) include changes in payroll and health and safety among others.

FSB research shows that if firms had less administrative duties they could then involve themselves in increased community activity and concentrate more on employee training.

FSB National Chairman John Wright said:

“Businesses will be expected to tackle around 20 new regulations that are being put in place on Wednesday. This goes against government pledges to cut back on the amount of regulation.

“Having a Common Commencement Date goes some way to helping businesses prepare for new regulation but the volume of legislation is just getting too much. In these tough times it is important for small businesses to remain economically active rather than spending their time filling in forms to adapt to new rules.

“The impact and costs of new regulations affecting small businesses should be properly analysed and adapted accordingly.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The FSB is Britain’s biggest business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk
2. In the report on hours spent dealing with regulation, 58% of business owners said they would spend time training staff or working with schools; 50% would spend more time developing their business; 39% of business owners would devote more time to their local communities; 37% would like to spend more time with their families.
3. Common Commencement Dates for business regulations occur on 6 April and 1 October. Details can be found at http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=ONEOFFPAGE&itemId=1075320304

Contacts:

Stephen Alambritis: 020 7592 8112 / 07788 422155
Prue Watson 020 7592 8121 / 07825 125695
Marc Shoffman 020 7592 8113 / 07595 067068

For regional FSB contacts please go to www.fsb.org.uk/regions