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Retailers Welcome Government’s Plans
Listed under: News
Published: Friday, May 21, 2010
A number of the country's leading business groups have welcomed the coalition Government's new proposals concerning smaller enterprises, suggesting they will be of great benefit to retailers nationwide.
The Government's new measures, which include reducing the burden of red tape, reviewing employment laws and automating small business rate relief, are a far cry from the widely-criticised plans proposed in Alistair Darling's Budget report last month.
Commenting on the new incentives, Matthew Goodman, head of policy at the Forum of Private Business (FPB), says, “I'm sure this document will come as a breath of fresh air to many small business owners. In many ways, it reads like a ‘wish list' of things the Forum has been demanding for several years.
“The regulatory burden imposed on business frequently emerges as one of the main problems facing SMEs, so the agreement to introduce a ‘one in, one out' rule, together with sunset clauses to kill off outdated legislation, will hopefully go some way to tackling this huge issue.
He continues, “We're also encouraged by the coalition's pledge to evaluate the fairness of employment legislation and its impact on Britain's competitiveness. Many small business owners believe it is grossly skewed in favour of the employee – the need for a more fair and balanced approach is something the Forum has repeatedly highlighted.”
David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), agrees, adding, “We have campaigned hard on policies to create a better business environment and are pleased that many of these ideas feature in the coalition’s programme for Government.
“Plans to reduce the burden of red tape, review employment law, automate small business rate relief, and improve the competitiveness of the tourism industry are particularly pleasing. Moves to improve access to finance for smaller firms – the engine room of our economy – will also be welcomed by many within our membership,” he says.
However, the groups were keen to stress the importance of ensuring these new measures are put into action. “The challenge now is for the Government to translate these intentions into real, practical changes to the business environment, without simply creating more state bureaucracy and unnecessary compliance costs at a time when many small businesses are still struggling,” explains Mr Goodman. “And, while the coalition's promises to simplify and reduce some of the taxes affecting companies are, of course, to be welcomed, business owners will also be anxious to see that the June 22 Budget does not contain any nasty surprises.”
The Government's new measures, which include reducing the burden of red tape, reviewing employment laws and automating small business rate relief, are a far cry from the widely-criticised plans proposed in Alistair Darling's Budget report last month.
Commenting on the new incentives, Matthew Goodman, head of policy at the Forum of Private Business (FPB), says, “I'm sure this document will come as a breath of fresh air to many small business owners. In many ways, it reads like a ‘wish list' of things the Forum has been demanding for several years.
“The regulatory burden imposed on business frequently emerges as one of the main problems facing SMEs, so the agreement to introduce a ‘one in, one out' rule, together with sunset clauses to kill off outdated legislation, will hopefully go some way to tackling this huge issue.
He continues, “We're also encouraged by the coalition's pledge to evaluate the fairness of employment legislation and its impact on Britain's competitiveness. Many small business owners believe it is grossly skewed in favour of the employee – the need for a more fair and balanced approach is something the Forum has repeatedly highlighted.”
David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), agrees, adding, “We have campaigned hard on policies to create a better business environment and are pleased that many of these ideas feature in the coalition’s programme for Government.
“Plans to reduce the burden of red tape, review employment law, automate small business rate relief, and improve the competitiveness of the tourism industry are particularly pleasing. Moves to improve access to finance for smaller firms – the engine room of our economy – will also be welcomed by many within our membership,” he says.
However, the groups were keen to stress the importance of ensuring these new measures are put into action. “The challenge now is for the Government to translate these intentions into real, practical changes to the business environment, without simply creating more state bureaucracy and unnecessary compliance costs at a time when many small businesses are still struggling,” explains Mr Goodman. “And, while the coalition's promises to simplify and reduce some of the taxes affecting companies are, of course, to be welcomed, business owners will also be anxious to see that the June 22 Budget does not contain any nasty surprises.”
