Pictured above: Henry Briggs senior partner of the Birmingham office of Haines Watts

Businesses must vote against more red tape in the general election, a leading accountant has claimed.

Henry Briggs, senior partner of the Birmingham office of Haines Watts, which specialises in small and medium size enterprises, is supporting a call by the Forum of Private Businesses which is asking for a moratorium on new legislation until after the next general election.

"Red tape is hampering economic recovery, is a hindrance to running a business - and is a disincentive to starting one in the UK," said Mr Briggs.

The Forum reckons that government regulations costs businesses more than £12bn and that the average private business spends 37 hours a month negotiating regulations.

"We seem to have a mind set that greater regulation is helpful. In most instances, it is not.

"The next government, no matter its colour or colours - needs to state clearly that it will help small businesses by reducing legislation and increasing the threshold for compliance. That will take thousands of small companies and enterprises out of the equation.

"It will also reduce the number of civil servants acting as 'watchdogs' that will in turn reduce public expenditure.

"British business would be better off without the current regulatory framework."

Only 9% of respondents in the Forum of Private Business Survey said they thought the regulatory framework was fair, robust and proportionate.

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