Burden of red tape from Brussels will damage business growth

25th February 2013

Ahead of the speech that will be made by Business Minister, Michael Fallon, later today on the government's efforts to reduce red tape, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:   -We know that UK firms want to focus on growing their businesses and in turn, drive the economic recovery through wealth and job creation.

But this becomes a difficult task if they are bogged down with burdensome red tape. Businesses tell us that the volume of bureaucracy is still too high, and the weight of European legislation is making them less competitive in global markets.   -Although the government is making a big effort to reduce red tape domestically, ministers have little power to change or stem EU legislation. Brussels cannot continue to overburden UK companies like this any longer as it is severely damaging to long-term business growth.