Thousands take up the Red Tape Challenge

15th April 2011

Thousands of businesses and members of the public have taken up the Red Tape Challenge, with over 6,000 ideas and suggestions in the first week of the new website, which is part of the Plan for Growth.

Comments have called for changes to, and the end of, many of the rules and regulations that affect the retail sector, from Sunday Trading to bike safety.

Retail sector champion, Dr Kevin Hawkins, welcomed this initial response but urged more retailers, suppliers, trade associations and consumers to get involved and suggest easier, less bureaucratic ways to tackle the issues raised. He said:

"The response so far has been outstanding, but make no mistake this is an opportunity that is too good to miss. For the first time the Government wants to hear from those at the sharp end of the complex, sometimes overwhelming, amount of regulation. Tell us about those rules that really waste your time and money or better still suggest ways of tackling the issues that will make life better for you and your customers.

"And with the burden of responsibility on Ministers to make a case to keep regulations, it's your voice that will shape the decisions on the way we do business in the UK."

Over 6,000 comments have been made during the first week of the new website www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk including discussion around:

* simplifying the complex range of age restrictions on buying products, making it easier for businesses and consumers to understand;
* the use of metric and imperial measures and simplifying weights and measures regulation;
* amendment of the egg marketing regulations so that small scale producers can sell their eggs to local retailers without eggs having to be stamped, promoting growth and local produce; and
* repeal of Trading with Enemy Orders.

The website also gives the opportunity to comment on a wide range of cross-cutting regulations that affect retailers and consumers, including employment law and health and safety. In future months the website will also deal with other issues that have an impact on the retail sector such as labelling and planning.

The opportunity to comment on regulations affecting the retail sector runs until 4 May. The following day will see the launch of regulations for the hospitality, food and drink sector.