D-Day for rogue traders

Government creates a fairer environment for honest businesses.

The Government today made a package of announcements that will free up honest businesses from red tape and crack down on the rogue businesses that undermine those who play by the rules.

Today marks a clear step forward by the Government to focus on providing trusted information and advice on how to stick within the rules, while stepping back from unnecessary involvement in the affairs of the overwhelming majority of businesses.

The package involves no new paperwork or hassle for business and includes:

• The appointment of Graham Russell as Chief Executive and seven board members to the new Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO). LBRO will support local authorities to make regulation simpler and more effective and will be fully operational by the Autumn.
• The beginning of a consultation on a draft Bill proposing:
  
  • more consistency in local authority regulation and enforcement;
  • that regulators be given additional flexible and proportionate powers to tackle those businesses who put people or the environment at risk and undercut the majority of law-abiding businesses, and;
  
  
• Consultation on a draft statutory code of practice for regulators. This will encourage regulators to focus enforcement effort on businesses most likely to cause harm, whilst improving advice and reducing unnecessary burdens for honest businesses.

William Sargent, the businessman brought in by the Government to implement better regulation, declared his support for the efforts today: 'This is a matter of basic fairness for honest hard-working businesses. Most play by the rules of our society and deserve our support and trust in getting ahead. We want local authorities and regulators to smooth their way. We are also sending the message that if you don't play by the rules - we are obtaining the powers to pull you into line.'

The package has received widespread support from across the business community.

John Walker, National Policy Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

'Ensuring a clear and consistently fair system across all local authorities is a 'must have' for the small business sector. Adding on the anticipated reduction in costs to businesses means that this is a positive development and we welcome the creation of this new body.'

Hilary Armstrong, the Cabinet Office Minister responsible for the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill and draft Compliance Code confirmed the government was intent on pursuing a targeted approach to regulation enforcement. She said:

'We have listened to businesses and acted. We will focus on the highest risk businesses, and do whatever we can to make life easier for honest businesses.'

Mike Bowman, head of insurance at MORE TH>N BUSINESS, said: 'It's good that the Government is doing more to make life easier for honest hard-working businesses. Focussing regulation on businesses most likely to cause harm has got to be good news for customers and businesses alike. As a business we are trying to simplify the processes that we ask our customers to undertake when purchasing business insurance."

Source - www.theretailbulletin.com