Britain to consult businesses over slashing EU red tape to boost UK's post-Brexit economy

A Covid-19 sign on the high street in Hounslow, west London, one of the areas of the UK where the Covid variant first identified in India is spreading fastest. Picture date: Tuesday May 25, 2021.
A Covid-19 sign on the high street in Hounslow, west London, one of the areas of the UK where the Covid variant first identified in India is spreading fastest. Picture date: Tuesday May 25, 2021.
Kirsty O'Connor
Charlie Bayliss

By Charlie Bayliss


Published: 22/07/2021

- 05:52

Updated: 22/07/2021

- 07:19

The consultation, which is due to be announced on Thursday, will aim to streamline Britain's economy

Businesses and industry leaders will be consulted to help develop plans which could slash red tape which Britain inherited during its stay in the European Union.

Ministers will be hoping the proposals put forward by businesses will help to streamline regulations, as well as creating an environment which will turbocharge Britain's economy and fuel innovation after Brexit.


The consultation, due to be announced on Thursday, marks an initial response to the report by the independent Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform (TIGRR), which was commissioned by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and chaired by former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.

Brexit minister Lord Frost, who negotiated the Withdrawal Agreement, said the proposals marked the “first time in a generation” that British politicians were “free to implement rules that put the UK first”.

It it hoped the move will create jobs and boost Britain's economy.
It it hoped the move will create jobs and boost Britain's economy.
Dominic Lipinski

Suggestions made by Sir Iain’s taskforce, whose report published last month included 100 recommendations, included calling on the Government to enable companies to trial innovative ideas safely by lifting certain regulations to allow new products to be tested in a real-world setting under the supervision of a regulator – a style of experimentation dubbed the “sandbox”.

Other proposals to be consulted on include bringing in tougher scrutiny of proposed regulations to ensure poor measures do not become law and reviewing new additions every two years, rather than every five, in order to re-write rules that are placing too much burden or extra costs on businesses.

Regulators could also have their role review, with a duty placed on them to promote innovation and competition, Downing Street said.

Cabinet Office minister Lord Frost said: “Now is the time to think boldly about how we regulate, as we seize our new opportunities as an independent nation.

Iain Duncan Smith will lead the consulation.
Iain Duncan Smith will lead the consulation.
Stefan Rousseau

“For the first time in a generation, we are free to implement rules that put the UK first. “This is the next step in driving forward ambitious reform, following the work of the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform.

“Our job is to help people and businesses thrive across the UK. That was what taking back control was about. “Reforming the way we regulate will be a big part of delivering that for people.”

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Taking back control means setting regulation in a way that works best for British businesses, workers and our wider economy.

“As an independent trading nation once more, we will use our newfound freedoms to promote competition, unleash innovation and enable the development of new technologies – without imposing unwieldy burdens on business.

“By taking a more nimble approach, suited to our national interest, we can maintain our valued high standards and cement the UK’s status as an attractive place to start and grow business.”

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