‘Your chance to cut red tape’, manufacturers told

MANUFACTURING firms struggling with red tape are being urged to take part in a government consultation to get rid of unnecessary bureaucracy.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands wants manufacturers to seize tell the Government what they really think about the rules and regulations that affect them as the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ turns its attention to their sector.

From this Thursday to August 11, manufacturers have the opportunity to log on to the Challenge site and share their opinions about the regulations that affect them – which should stay, which should be simplified and which should be removed.

The government says the default presumption will be that burdensome regulations will go. If ministers want to keep them in te face of industry opposition, they will have to make solid cases for them to stay.

MAS-WM chief executive Simon Griffiths said: “The Red Tape Challenge really is a rare opportunity for manufacturers to have their say on the regulations that affect them. That’s why we are urging them to take part and tell the Government what changes they would like to see.”

MAS is designed to help manufacturers achieve improvements in their productivity and competitiveness. It works with small and medium sized businesses to help them meet regulatory and industry standards and sees the pressures that they are under first-hand.

Those wishing to contribute should visit the Red Tape Challenge website. Input will then be reviewed by Ministers who have three months to decide which regulations they will scrap, with the presumption that all burdensome regulations that cannot be justified will go.