Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation (): When regulation works
for small business, it works for all. I am committed to ensuring
the government provides the best assistance to those brave enough
to start a business and it is only right our regulatory
environment supports entrepreneurs. It is for that reason that I
am today announcing the establishment of the Small Business
Regulatory Taskforce. The Taskforce has been commissioned by His
Majesty's Government to develop recommendations that will target
reducing regulatory burdens faced by small and medium-sized
enterprises, including micro-businesses. The Taskforce will first
meet on 11th June.
These recommendations will drive forwards our work to reduce the
administrative burden of regulation by 25% and build on
commitments in our Small Business Plan to make life easier to
start, run and grow your business in the UK. Small businesses are
central to the UK economy. Yet far too often they face
disproportionate regulatory and administrative burdens. Evidence
gathered by the Department for Business and Trade's Business
Questionnaire shows that complexity, duplication and inconsistent
guidance across regulators can make it harder for smaller firms
to comply and grow. This Government is determined to reduce
unnecessary burdens on business while maintaining vital
protections for workers, consumers, the environment and the wider
public interest. The Taskforce will seek to improve the clarity
and usability of regulation in a way that looks to support and
increase innovation, productivity and growth across the SME
economy
I will co-chair the taskforce, in my capacity as Minister for
Small Business alongside Tina McKenzie, Chair of Policy and
Advocacy at the Federation of Small Businesses. It will bring
together voices from business, industry and government to
identify evidence-based reforms that can improve the operation,
clarity and proportionality of regulation for SMEs. The
composition of the taskforce reflects a broad cross-section of
the SME economy and will consult on members views and suggestions
throughout the duration of the process. In doing so, it will
build on the success of the 2025 Licensing Taskforce and help
apply the lessons learnt from the John Fingleton-led Nuclear
Regulatory Review across the wider economy. The Taskforce's work
is expected to include consideration of issues such as
modernising regulatory submissions, embedding more SME-friendly
approaches to guidance, exploring regulatory passporting
initiatives, reviewing the impact of enforcement across
regulators and local authorities as well as examining what more
Government can do to support SMEs with the capability, resource
and technology needed for compliance.
The Taskforce is expected to run through the summer, with
recommendations and a government response to be provided in
autumn.
