Monday 04 Aug 2008 @ 16:43
Scottish Government
Scottish Government
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Report sets path for better regulation
Better regulation will benefit businesses across Scotland thanks to a report published today.
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney welcomed the first report of the Regulatory Review Group - which was produced in partnership with the Scottish Government.
He said the report would signal the start of a new, more productive approach to regulation, that will see vastly improved co-operation between business and government.
Among the reports recommendations are:
* Government and business should move to a way of creating and changing regulation which is a true partnership between both parties.
* A new shorter and simpler Business Impact Assessment should be introduced
* Each Government Department and regulator that introduces or enacts legislation affecting business has a group of businesses that it uses to 'road test' all relevant legislative literature and forms prior to implementation
* The Scottish Government should have the right to make its own case directly to the EU where it feels this is necessary rather than relying upon the relevant Westminster Department.
* Proposals that will allow regulators to adopt a more common sense approach in enforcing regulations
Mr Swinney said:
"For too long regulation has pitched government, regulators and businesses against each other.
"This government simply will not allow regulation to be a battleground any longer. At a time of global economic uncertainty, it is crucial that we all work together to deliver the kind of competitive environment in which businesses can flourish.
"That means all regulation should be carefully road-tested to determine exactly how it will impact on business. That's a key recommendation of today's report and one that we are determined to take forward as a government.
"Today's report will signal a new era where we can work together with business to deliver this greatly improved, partnership approach to the regulations we introduce as a government.
"Regulation in Scotland emanates as much from Westminster and Europe as it does Holyrood, so I am particularly pleased the report recommends Westminster pays greater attention to Scotland's distinct circumstance in framing regulations.
"And I am also convinced of the need for the Scottish Government to make its own case on regulations affecting Scotland directly to the EU rather than relying on Westminster departments. That is something we will take forward at both EU and UK level.
"The Government is extremely grateful for the work done by Professor Russel Griggs and the rest of the group. They have our guarantee that we will now look at the recommendations carefully and work closely with them on how best to take the better regulation agenda forward."
Prof Griggs, chair of the Regulatory Review Group said:
"To achieve what we believe is possible, as is set out in our Annual Report, to make Scotland the leader in regulation, in terms of its appropriateness and proportionality to all parties involved, will take a real culture shift across business, Government, and its Regulators.
"We have been impressed by the desire from all sides for that change to happen as we can all see the benefits it will bring both to our economy and to the way we do things. Our next year will be focussed on making sure it does happen which will require good and sometimes strong leadership from all those with influence including the Cabinet, those leading Regulators, and those leading business, because real culture change will only succeed through leadership and drive from the top.'
Membership of RRG
* Chairman - Professor Russel Griggs - Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
* Stephen Boyd - STUC
* Charlotte Barbour - Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland
* Kyla Brand - Office of Fair Trading
* Elieen Calveley - Federation of Small Businesses
* Garry Clark - Scottish Chambers of Commerce
* Jim Gorie - Forum of Private Business
* Trisha McAuley - Scottish Consumers Council
* Niall Stewart - Scottish Council for Development and Industry (independent member)
* James Withers - National Farmers Union of Scotland
Related Links
Regulatory Review Group reports
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney welcomed the first report of the Regulatory Review Group - which was produced in partnership with the Scottish Government.
He said the report would signal the start of a new, more productive approach to regulation, that will see vastly improved co-operation between business and government.
Among the reports recommendations are:
* Government and business should move to a way of creating and changing regulation which is a true partnership between both parties.
* A new shorter and simpler Business Impact Assessment should be introduced
* Each Government Department and regulator that introduces or enacts legislation affecting business has a group of businesses that it uses to 'road test' all relevant legislative literature and forms prior to implementation
* The Scottish Government should have the right to make its own case directly to the EU where it feels this is necessary rather than relying upon the relevant Westminster Department.
* Proposals that will allow regulators to adopt a more common sense approach in enforcing regulations
Mr Swinney said:
"For too long regulation has pitched government, regulators and businesses against each other.
"This government simply will not allow regulation to be a battleground any longer. At a time of global economic uncertainty, it is crucial that we all work together to deliver the kind of competitive environment in which businesses can flourish.
"That means all regulation should be carefully road-tested to determine exactly how it will impact on business. That's a key recommendation of today's report and one that we are determined to take forward as a government.
"Today's report will signal a new era where we can work together with business to deliver this greatly improved, partnership approach to the regulations we introduce as a government.
"Regulation in Scotland emanates as much from Westminster and Europe as it does Holyrood, so I am particularly pleased the report recommends Westminster pays greater attention to Scotland's distinct circumstance in framing regulations.
"And I am also convinced of the need for the Scottish Government to make its own case on regulations affecting Scotland directly to the EU rather than relying on Westminster departments. That is something we will take forward at both EU and UK level.
"The Government is extremely grateful for the work done by Professor Russel Griggs and the rest of the group. They have our guarantee that we will now look at the recommendations carefully and work closely with them on how best to take the better regulation agenda forward."
Prof Griggs, chair of the Regulatory Review Group said:
"To achieve what we believe is possible, as is set out in our Annual Report, to make Scotland the leader in regulation, in terms of its appropriateness and proportionality to all parties involved, will take a real culture shift across business, Government, and its Regulators.
"We have been impressed by the desire from all sides for that change to happen as we can all see the benefits it will bring both to our economy and to the way we do things. Our next year will be focussed on making sure it does happen which will require good and sometimes strong leadership from all those with influence including the Cabinet, those leading Regulators, and those leading business, because real culture change will only succeed through leadership and drive from the top.'
Membership of RRG
* Chairman - Professor Russel Griggs - Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
* Stephen Boyd - STUC
* Charlotte Barbour - Institute of Chartered Accountants in Scotland
* Kyla Brand - Office of Fair Trading
* Elieen Calveley - Federation of Small Businesses
* Garry Clark - Scottish Chambers of Commerce
* Jim Gorie - Forum of Private Business
* Trisha McAuley - Scottish Consumers Council
* Niall Stewart - Scottish Council for Development and Industry (independent member)
* James Withers - National Farmers Union of Scotland
Related Links
Regulatory Review Group reports
