Henry Smith MP has welcomed the announcement of the Government’s Enterprise Bill as good news for Crawley businesses.

Henry said;

“While I was pleased to see figures last week showing that Crawley unemployment has fallen further – down by a third in the last year – there is still more to do.

“By continuing to act against unnecessary bureaucracy – and by extending this beyond Whitehall – the Government will cut red tape by at least £10 billion over the next five years in a new Enterprise Bill that will back business to create jobs.

“Crawley unemployment is down by more than 500 since 2010. Across the UK, the employment rate is at a record high of 73.5%. But there is more to do.”

For the first time, the Government target for cutting red tape will go beyond Whitehall, and extend to independent regulators. They will be expected to contribute to a target of at least £10 billion.

Another part of the Enterprise Bill will be the creation of a Small Business Conciliation Service, to help with settling disputes between small and large businesses, especially over late payment practices. 

Small firms are owed over £32 billion in late payments, but many of them are not aware of their rights or are reluctant to launch legal challenges. This service will build on the existing suite of measures to tackle poor payment practices.

The Government is also expecting the European Commission to announce proposals to cut red tape in Europe. This follows recommendations for reform from a UK business-led taskforce, set up by the Prime Minister.

Measures being pushed for include a commitment to propose lighter regimes for small businesses in new EU legislation, greater independence for the Commission’s Regulatory Scrutiny Board, and improved consultation and impact assessments.

Henry continued;

“As a member of the European Scrutiny Committee before the General Election, I have seen how the Brussels bureaucracy can hinder UK firms. I hope that these reforms, pushed for by the Prime Minister and the UK Government, will go to assist, rather than hamper, local businesses.”