The public will soon get to have their say on which pieces of red tape affecting the hospitality, food and drink sector should be binned.
The Government’s new Red Tape challenge website, launched today, will let people submit their views on regulations that affect five different industries every two weeks between today and 16 June.
Comments on red tape in the hospitality, food and drink sector can be submitted for two weeks beginning 5 May.
Once the opportunity for comments on each sector has closed, the Prime Minister has said in a letter to all ministers that they will have three months to explain why a regulation is still required, or it will be scrapped.
David Cameron said: “We need to tackle regulation with vigour, both to free businesses to compete and create jobs, and give people greater freedom and personal responsibility.
“Of course we need proper standards, for example in areas like fire safety and food safety. So where regulation is well-designed and proportionate, it should stay. But it is hard to believe that we need government regulations on issues such as ice cream van musical jingles. That’s why I want us to be the first government in modern history to leave office having reduced the overall burden of regulation, rather than increasing it.
“Our starting point is that a regulation should go or its aim achieved in a different, non-government way, unless there is a clear and good justification for government being involved. Be in no doubt: all those unnecessary rules that place ridiculous burdens on our businesses and on society – they must go, once and for all.”
In addition, people can offer their views until 16 June on six general themes affecting business: employment law, pensions, company law, equalities, health and safety, and environment legislation.
The Red Tape challenge website is available at www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk.
