Pictured above: Getting ready to cut through red tape,
Russell Jeans, Director of Chamber Business Services and LBRO chief
executive Graham Russell
Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group has joined forces with a
national regulatory organisation in a new bid to slash the burden
of business red tape.
The Chamber - which renewed its call for red tape to be cut in
the Budget - has revealed that British business is facing an
astonishing £23bn billion just to deal with a flood of
employment legislation in the next four years.
As well as taking the Government to task for attempting to hit
business with such an eye-watering sum, the Chamber has joined
forces with the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO).
The LBRO - based in Birmingham - says that its brief is to
"improve the way local regulation is delivered to ensure it results
in the right outcomes for everyone - business, the general public
and the environment".
The organisation's chairman, Clive Grace, said: "Businesses need
better regulation to create and maintain a successful business
climate.
"Cutting red tape is critical in enabling UK businesses to
maximise their potential as drivers of economic growth and
innovation."
Chamber business services director Russell Jeans said that
despite many pledges by Government to cut red tape, the legislative
burden continued to grow.
Mr Jeans added: "The Government claims business growth is top of
the agenda, yet UK firms will be hit with huge costs once these new
regulations come into force.
"Companies cannot generate growth and create jobs when they are
facing a £23billion bill, just to implement new employment
legislation.
"These new regulations, such as changes to the right to
request flexible working, paternity leave, and the abolition of the
default retirement age, will leave employers confused and distract
them from growing their business.
"Unless the Government reduces this kind of red tape, we will
continue to have high levels of unemployment and could end up
derailing the recovery."
The Chamber is currently interviewing its membership to research
attitudes held by businesses and organisations to red tape and
bureaucracy.