Press Release - Business perceptions survey 2010
15 July 2010
Over half of all businesses believe there is
too much regulation, according to a survey of businesses
commissioned by the National Audit Office and the Local Better
Regulation Office. Although most businesses believe that the
purpose of regulation is clear, over 60 per cent of businesses
think that the level of regulation is an obstacle to their
success.
This is the NAO’s fourth annual survey of
businesses’ perceptions of regulation. The survey found that 29 per
cent of businesses believe that complying with regulation has
become more burdensome over the previous 12 months. At the
same time, only 1 per cent of businesses feel that regulation has
become less difficult or less time consuming than previously.
A number of positive findings have emerged
from the survey:
- three in five businesses feel well-informed
about the laws and regulations that affect them, with businesses
feeling most informed about Health and Safety law;
- 58 per cent of businesses find it easy to
comply with regulation specific to their business sector.
Despite this, a number of issues still
remain:
- fewer than 30 per cent of businesses believe
that the government understands business well enough to regulate,
or consults well before any change to regulation;
- having to keep up to date with the
introduction of new regulations is seen as the most burdensome and
time consuming activity, particularly regarding employment
law.
Chris Shapcott, National Audit Office director
of regulatory reform, said today:
“Our survey
highlights areas that are still of concern for business, many of
which have remained the same over the last four years. Businesses
still find regulation burdensome and they are particularly
concernedabout the introduction of new regulations
or continuing changes to existing regulations. It therefore remains
a priority for departments to manage the creation and removal of
regulation properly in order to minimize the impact on
business.”
Notes for Editors
-
The survey was carried out on behalf of the
NAO and Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) by FDS International.
Overall 2000 business responses were obtained through telephone
interviews, with 1000 answering the survey for the NAO, and 1000
answering the survey for the Local Better Regulation Office
specifically on the local enforcement of regulation.
-
The NAO has published the findings of previous
business survey as part of three reports on the Administrative
Burdens Reduction Programme: Complying with regulation: Business
Perceptions Survey 2009 (HC 1028, 2008-09), The Administrative
Burdens Reduction Programme 2008 (HC 944, 2007-08) and Reducing the
Cost of Complying with Regulations: The Delivery of the
Administrative Burdens Reduction Programme 2007 (HC 615, 2006-07).
These are available at http://www.nao.org.uk/
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Since 2005, the previous Government sought to
reduce the cost to businesses of complying with the administrative
activities required by regulations through the Administrative
Burdens Reduction Programme. The programme had a target of reducing
the annual administrative burdens imposed on private and third
sectors by 25 per cent by 2010.
-
Press notices and reports are available from
the date of publication on the NAO website, which is at http://www.nao.org.uk/.
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The Comptroller and Auditor General, Amyas
Morse, is the head of the National Audit Office which employs some
900 staff. He and the NAO are totally independent of
Government. He certifies the accounts of all Government
departments and a wide range of other public sector bodies; and he
has statutory authority to report to Parliament on the economy,
efficiency and effectiveness with which departments and other
bodies have used their resources.
Press Notice 42/10
All enquiries to Sarah Farndale, NAO Press
Office:
Tel: 020 7798 5350
Mobile: 07985 274 421