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Better regulation for business
25/02/2008
Closer joint working between Government and business paves the way for better regulation, according to a report published today.
The Regulatory Review Group's interim report to Ministers - 'Towards Better Regulation for Scotland - A New Partnership between the Scottish Government and Business' - suggests a new process for lawmakers and businesses that would include:
- More detailed consultation - and visits to individual business premises - before laws are drawn up
- A mandatory Business Impact Assessment for Scottish legislation
- A requirement for business to dedicate time and resources needed to allow Government to consult meaningfully with them
Atthe Enterprising Scotland conference in Glasgow, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said:
"Better government leads to better regulation. I'm confident that business now understands that, more than ever before, this minority Government has to reach out and work with Parliament, and with business, to build support. We do not rush to legislation or regulation.
"Our purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth is a shared vision, so there's an obligation on us all to find and develop new ways of working together. The recommendations propose just that.
"We need to move beyond generalisations about red tape. Ensuring the costs and benefits to business of any new legislation are thoroughly understood, and mainstreaming a greater business understanding within Government, will undoubtedly result in better regulation for business. Business itself also has a duty to demonstrate to government the impact of regulation.
"I thank the Regulatory Review Group and all the member organisations for their input and participation. We are already working to assess what the recommendations will mean in terms of implementation, and the detail of how to achieve that. I will announce more detail to the Scottish business community later in the year."
Professor Russel Griggs, chair of the Regulatory Review Group,said:
"There remains a good deal of work to be done in terms of finalising the detail, but I and other members of the group are extremely encouraged by Ministers' very positive response to the direction of travel we are proposing "
The final report to Ministers is expected in the summer.
Membership of Regulatory Review Group
Chairman - Professor Russel Griggs - Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
Charlotte Barbour - Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
Stephen Boyd - STUC
Kyla Brand - Office of Fair Trading
Elieen Calveley - Federation of Small Businesses
Jim Gorie - Forum of Private Business
Trisha McAuley - Scottish Consumers Council
Niall Stuart - Scottish Council for Development and Industry (independent member)
James Withers - National Farmers Union of Scotland
Observers
Scottish Chambers of Commerce
Office of Fair Trading
Scotland Office