We constantly battle to get bureaucracy reduced for your business - small and large

Over 30,000 new regulations have been introduced since 1997, an average of 14 per day, with the average British company spending over £13,000 a year implementing legislation. The cumulative cost to Sussex businesses of red tape introduced since 1998 is £2.6 bn. Seven out of ten businesses say the amount of red tape and legislation their company has to deal with has been a major constraint on their business growth in the last 12 months.

Sussex Enterprise works in conjunction with the British Chambers of Commerce to reduce legislation.  Our lobbying includes writing to the ten MEPs in the South East asking them to sign a declaration on the proposed European Small Business Act to "think small first" when drafting legislation and quantifying the costs and benefits of any proposed legislation on SMEs. The European Commission’s Small Business Act was adpoted in June 2008. We will continue to support the BCC’s work in lobbying EU and member states government on regulations.

Business Minister, Mark Prisk, says he wants to be “energetic” about removing red tape burdens. He says his commitment to introducing a “one in one out rule” will make a big difference to small businesses. We welcome this move to reduce red tape.

Members with specific regulatory concerns which are holding back their business can log them on the BCC Regulation database by clicking here.

For further information, use the links to the right or contact the policy team.