Small Business Regulatory Taskforce

When regulation works for small business, it works for all. I am committed to ensuring the Government provide the best assistance to those brave enough to start a business and it is only right our regulatory environment supports entrepreneurs. It is for that reason that I am today announcing the establishment of the small business regulatory taskforce. The taskforce has been commissioned by His Majesty’s Government to develop recommendations that will target reducing regulatory burdens faced by small and medium-sized enterprises, including microbusinesses. The taskforce will first meet on 11 June.

These recommendations will drive forwards our work to reduce the administrative burden of regulation by 25% and build on commitments in our small business plan to make life easier to start, run and grow your business in the UK. Small businesses are central to the UK economy. Yet far too often they face disproportionate regulatory and administrative burdens. Evidence gathered by the Department for Business and Trade’s business questionnaire shows that complexity, duplication and inconsistent guidance across regulators can make it harder for smaller firms to comply and grow. This Government are determined to reduce unnecessary burdens on business while maintaining vital protections for workers, consumers, the environment and the wider public interest. The taskforce will seek to improve the clarity and usability of regulation in a way that looks to support and increase innovation, productivity and growth across the SME economy

I will co-chair the taskforce, in my capacity as Minister for Small Business alongside Tina McKenzie, Chair of Policy and Advocacy at the Federation of Small Businesses. It will bring together voices from business, industry and Government to identify evidence-based reforms that can improve the operation, clarity and proportionality of regulation for SMEs. The composition of the taskforce reflects a broad cross-section of the SME economy and will consult on members’ views and suggestions throughout the duration of the process. In doing so, it will build on the success of the 2025 licensing taskforce and help apply the lessons learnt from the John Fingleton-led nuclear regulatory review across the wider economy. The taskforce’s work is expected to include consideration of issues such as modernising regulatory submissions, embedding more SME-friendly approaches to guidance, exploring regulatory passporting initiatives, reviewing the impact of enforcement across regulators and local authorities as well as examining what more Government can do to support SMEs with the capability, resource and technology needed for compliance.

The taskforce is expected to run through the summer, with recommendations and a Government response to be provided in autumn.

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