The National Franchised Dealers Association has asked the new Minister for Competitiveness, Stephen Timms, to reduce red tape to help small businesses.

The NFDA sent a letter to Timms, outlining the automotive industry’s concerns.

“The focus of the Government’s new small business strategy must be the reduction of the regulatory burden,” said Sue Robinson, director of the RMI NFDA, commenting on the re-launch of the small business service as the Enterprise Directorate.

The re-launched directorate will be part of the newly created Department for Business, Enterprise, and Regulatory Reform (BERR), formerly the Department of Trade and Industry.

Robinson continues: “The Government’s new small business strategy should focus on making it easier for smaller companies to operate effectively. The level of red tape that businesses routinely face has become far too onerous, and needs to be cut back.

“We have consulted with our members, and have put together a proposal highlighting areas where red tape could be reduced and rules simplified.”

The NFDA highlighted finance regulation, employment legislation, health and safety, above-inflation rises in the minimum wage, costs related to consumer protection as key issues to be tackled by the Government.

“We will discuss with Timms how the regulatory environment can be made more manageable for businesses,” added Robinson.