The government has made some good noises about reducing the bureaucratic burden on smaller firms, but words are cheap. After all, the 'bonfire of the Quangos' has come to nothing...

And it seems I'm not the only one thinking on these lines. Reacting to the Prime Minister’s statement regarding private-sector growth and jobs, David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “Year after year, business has said that private-sector job creation depends on giving employers the flexibility they need to hire and fire. We constantly argue that regulation is an increasing barrier to jobs growth. Despite this, successive governments have increased rather than decreased the burden.

“So we warmly welcome the fact that the Prime Minister is looking at ways to make recruitment easier – particularly for smaller businesses. While many large companies have pledged to create new jobs this year, the Government must do more to boost the confidence of small- and medium-sized firms so that they can do the same. Some of the proposals aired by the Government, including reform of employment tribunals and a radical reduction in regulation for small business, would make a big difference.

“However, companies want to know exactly what the Government plans to do to remove obstacles to taking on staff. The Prime Minister’s comments are an important start – now it’s time for ministers and officials to strip back red tape so businesses can make 2011 a Year for Growth across the UK.”