Less red tape on the way? The Better Regulation Executive’s has just published a report called Lightening the Load about the regulatory impact on the UK’s smallest businesses. You can see the report at http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/better-regulation/reviewing-regulation/re....

Commenting on the report, Sir Don Curry, Chair of the Better Regulation Executive said “The Lightening the Load report highlights the cumulative regulatory burden affecting exactly the sort of businesses that are being relied upon to create sustainable economic growth. It is clear that some firms actively avoid recruiting and expanding to avoid the bureaucracy or perceived bureaucracy involved. This cannot be good for growth.

“For several years, Government has asked policy makers to ‘think small first’. It is clear that when new regulations are made, policy makers are still not putting small and micro businesses at the centre of their thinking. This has to change. I strongly support Ministers commitment to reduce regulatory burdens and to see regulation as a last resort. I very much welcome the announcement that Lord Young will be leading a review on supporting enterprise and hope that, as part of this, he will be able to address the issues raised in our report. I look forward to this being a first step to lighten the load for this important part of the economy.”

Okay. That sounds great. And we're hearing more and more of this sort of statement from policians and people in power. But I get a sense of deja vu. Didn't the last government say the same sort of thing? Is it going to be any different this time?