Red mist over red tape
New Labour is responsible for 153 new pieces of legislation affecting the trade. The Red Tape Group and The Publican are fighting back.
It's official - licensees are facing more regulation and red tape then ever before. According to the industry's Red Tape Group a whopping 153 new pieces of legislation that affect the pub trade have been introduced since New Labour came into power in 1997 and there is little sign of the flow of regulation ceasing.
The group is launching a new campaign for 2003 focusing on three of the latest issues which are to affect the pub trade. These include the impact of the Licensing and Gaming Bills, stamp duty and capital allowances to help licensees invest in ventilation equipment and disabled access.
The Red Tape Costs campaign, which has the backing of The Publican, was originally launched by the group in September 2002. Its objective is to raise awareness among the trade, political audiences and press of the impact of red tape on the hospitality sector.
This year the Red Tape Group will be focusing on a few key specifics as examples of the problem of bureaucracy:
- licensing and gaming regimes - the number of application forms and points where you have to fill in forms etc. This area is seen as a particularly good example of paperwork and administration by the group
- the direct costs to licensees from legislation or codes of practice/government. It wants capital allowances to help licensees invest in ventilation equipment as well as disabled access
- stamp duty - the new tax could increase the price of a lease by thousands of pounds.
The group is urging licensees to get involved. Kate Nicholls, spokeswoman for the Red Tape Group, said: "This government has introduced over 150 pieces of legislation that affect our businesses.
"We want the government to do something about all of them but we need licensees' help to prioritise those for immediate action. Tell us where the shoe pinches and we will challenge the government to take action."
Bureaucracy affecting pubs
Red tape that has already affected licensees includes:
- 48-hour working week
- paid annual leave
- formal disciplinary and grievance procedures for small businesses
- trade union recognition - proposed review to end small business exemption
- national minimum wage
- Disability Discrimination Act
- employment law
- National Insurance
- VAT and business rates
- food hygiene.
Events over the last year:
April 2002: red tape is on the increase and has become a "serious impediment" for 93 per cent of businesses, according to a new survey by the Institute of Directors.
May 2002: small businesses, including pubs, are forking out an extra £5bn a year dealing with red tape from the time Labour was elected.
June 2002: the European Commission publishes new proposals to try and help address the on-going problem of excessive red tape.
July 2002: Shadow Chancellor Michael Howard slams Chancellor Gordon Brown for doing nothing to make life easier for small businesses.
August 2002: the Red Tape Group warns that licensees could be caught out by the Employment Act 2002, which comes into force.
November 2002: the Liberal Democrat party puts forward a Reduction of Regulation Bill in Parliament with the aim of lessening "unnecessary" red tape for small businesses, including pubs.
February 2003: shadow trade secretary Tim Yeo calls for industry experts to join a high-profile campaign aiming to slash red tape.
April 2003: red tape is the most pressing concern for small businesses, according to new research by the Forum for Private Business.
Red tape petition
Do you want to see government-imposed legislation, bureaucracy and administration reduced?
Then click here to support the Red Tape Campaign and add your name to our petition, citing which issues are currently concerning you most.
"Legislation Costs! Enough is Enough!"
