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Better Regulation Executive

The Better Regulation Executive (BRE) have been instrumental in putting the coalition's strategy on reducing regulation, in place. These are the policies and initiatives which have been designed to (a) bring about a steady change of culture across government, so that regulation is seen as the last resort and alternatives to regulation are first considered, and (b) reduce the regulatory burden to business and civil society organisations.

Here are summaries on the main policies, initiatives and objectives which currently make up the coalition's strategy for reducing regulation and consequently, informs the BRE's agenda: 

One-in, One-out rule

The One-in, One-out (OIOO) system was introduced in Autumn 2010. This requires each Department to:

  • assess the net cost to business ('IN') of complying with any proposed regulation;
  • ensure that the net cost to business is validated by the independent Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC); and
  • find a deregulatory measure ('OUT'), which relieves business of the same net cost as any IN.

It is an ongoing initiative to show the extent to which departments are adhering to this rule, by publishing twice yearly 'Statements of New Regulation' - in Spring and Autumn.

Sunsetting Regulations

The government introduced a requirement for sunset clauses to be included in new regulations - so that policy-makers have to review regulation after five years and determine if it is still relevant, rather than leaving regulation permanently on the statute book when it is no longer required

Micro-business exemption

The Chancellor's budget, in May 2011 included a three-year moratorium on new domestic regulations for the smallest companies, ie those with fewer than 10 employees, or those just starting up.

This will provide certainty for those businesses to grow, to take on employeees and to invest in their business, making the UK the most competitive place in the world to start and grow a business.

Red Tape Challenge

The aim of the Red Tape Challenge (RTC), is to tackle the stock of existing regulations, to help free-up businesses, encourage greater personal responsibility and create jobs.

The Red Tape Challenge website went live in April 2011. It is a powerful tool for the public to have their say about red tape, and calls on everyone - consumers, businesses and volunteer groups - to get involved and help reduce the number of unnecessary and obsolete regulations in our country.

European Regulation

The governemt have stopped the over-interpretation of EU law and gold-plating - where UK businesses are put at a disadvantage - by intoducing 'copy-out', which is a straight transposing of EU law into domestic law.

Across Whitehall, the BRE have also renewed their commitment to influence Brussels early. This is already bearing fruit, with agreements to reduce burdens further on SMEs and exampt micro-enterprises from future EU rules.