Tories promise to slash red tape

The Tories highlight case of trader Steven Thoburn

The Conservatives have outlined their plans for cutting red tape it they win the forthcoming election.

Party leader William Hague pledged to set up an independent Deregulation Commission which would be responsible for tackling bureaucracy.

The Tories may regard these as silly regulations, but for millions of workers they offer dignity and security

Stephen Byers

The commission would replace Labour's Better Regulation Task Force and would have powers to block proposals from any government department if the cost of new red tape they impose on business exceeds the benefit of the regulations.

The Tories have also established an Internet based "Ministry of Silly Regulations" to highlight unnecessary red tape.

The "ministry" which was developed with business leaders estimates the cost to business of new regulation since Labour came to power to be in the region of £6bn.

Horror stories

Based at www.sillyregs.com, it details "horror stories" of over-regulation.

These include the case of Steven Thoburn, a market trader who was prosecuted for selling fruit and vegetables in pounds and ounces and not in kilos and grams.

Under the Conservative plans, any government department that presses ahead with measures that are opposed by the Deregulation Commission would have to get parliamentary approval.

Ministers would have to win majority support in both the Commons and the Lords before their policy could be introduced.

Deregulation champion

Shadow trade secretary David Heathcoat-Amory said: "We have already announced a number of ways to reduce the regulatory burden - including longer lead-in times, better consultation, and independent cost benefit assessments.

"Today, we propose to set up an independent Deregulation Commission, headed by a businessman, with powers to block excessive regulation where it is judged that the costs outweigh the benefits.

"This will give businessmen a deregulation champion, and stop deregulation proposals being smothered by ministers and civil servants."

The Tories also propose so-called "sunset clauses" which would require all new regulations to have a set time at which they have to lapse or must else be re-introduced.

The longer lead-in times are designed to give businesses more time to prepare for new regulations.

But Trade Secretary Stephen Byers said the Tory plans would strip employees of their rights.

'Poverty pay'

"It is now clear that the Tories want to return to the days of poverty pay, ending the minimum wage, ending the right to four weeks paid annual leave and the right to time off for family emergencies.

"The Tories may regard these as silly regulations, but for millions of workers they offer dignity and security of employment.

"The Tories want to turn the clock back with the same old failed policies that have served our people and our country so badly in the past," he said.