PM launches simplification plans

The Prime Minister has launched a government-wide action plan identifying over 500 ways to reduce red tape.

The government's 'Simplification Plans' will save business and the third sector over £2 billion in administrative costs.

The detailed measures, across 19 departments and agencies, have been identified as a result of comprehensive consultation with business, public and third sector organisations. The aim is to cut administrative burdens by 25 per cent by 2010.

Reflecting on the plans, the PM said:

"The UK is one of the best places to do business and we need to keep it that way. The exercise to produce these simplification plans has been extensive and far-reaching.

"It demonstrates the commitment across government and the regulators to reduce the admin burden of regulation to the benefit of business, our public services and the voluntary sector.

"These are thorough and detailed action plans that will deliver year-on-year reductions in the administrative burden of regulation."

The Government is also committing to long-term supporting measures, including upgrading the web portal through which simplification ideas can be submitted by the public; a campaign to identify regulations which conflict or overlap; and annual updates on progress against the simplification agenda.

Leading the plans across government, Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden said:

"Businesses repeatedly cry out for government to cut through red tape and feel they have heard it before. Today we are announcing not a new pledge but a detailed and specific plan of action, involving 500 initiatives to ease the administrative burden.

"We will continue to work in collaboration with business to build on these initiatives and to make billions of pounds worth of real savings."

By 10 Downing Street