Government to cut red tape

The Government has released new plans to cut red tape in health and safety regulations.

A new report recommends fewer inspections of "low-risk" premises, such as pubs.

It calls for one single process for small firms to deal with a range of requirements, including health and safety, fire and food safety regulations.

The report — Improving Outcomes from Health and Safety — also recommends better advice for small firms.

It says that many companies pay far too much for health and safety consultants that offer "little or no benefit in the workplace", when free help is available from councils or the Heath & Safety Executive.

The report urges provision of better access to advice and information for "low-risk" businesses via the internet and telephone.

The average company is spending around 20 hours per year — or more than £350 — abiding by health and safety regulations, says the report.

Cutting the time by five hours per company would save low-risk businesses £150m a year.

Business Secretary John Hutton said: "Introducing simple steps, such as making information more easily available and getting better advice to firms that need it will help save time and money for UK business.

"Cutting the amount of paperwork for low-risk businesses and making complex regulations easier to understand will also help to create safer environments for workers and the public."

A Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) spokesman welcomed the proposal.

"Someone at the end of the phone giving good advice is important. This is one area we do want regulation to work. FSB members already have access to a legal advice line on health and safety issues; this is a complement to that."