Calls for action on red tape as campaign steps up a gear

Publicans are being called upon to highlight specific cases of crazy bureaucracy, as the industry's red tape campaign steps up a gear.

The Red Tape Costs campaign, which has the backing of thePublican.com, The Publican Newspaper and major pub companies and brewers, is to fight for an end to specific laws which cause unnecessary burdens on pub businesses.

Campaign spokeswoman Kate Nicholls said: "There is widespread agreement that the burden of regulations on the industry is too great. Ministers admit as much, and there has been a series of questions asked in the Commons, but nothing happens.

"We now plan to campaign against specific legislation as well as on the general issue of red tape. The industry has been saying for two years that the burden of red tape is too high, but the regulations keep coming."

In 2000 alone, 70 new pieces of regulation were brought in which directly affected pubs. These ranged from provisions under the Working Time Directive and Disability Discrimination Act down to new food labelling laws.

Tim Ambler (pictured)​, a senior fellow with the London Business School, welcomed the Red Tape Group's decision to focus on specifics. He said: "Governments express sympathy and do nothing. You have to not only draw attention to specific problems, but also offer the government practical suggestions for alternatives."

The Red Tape Group's move follows criticism from the government's own advisers that it is failing to deliver on promises to ease the red tape burden on small businesses.

Ms Nicholls is calling on all users to contact her with details of where the biggest problems lie. Call her on 020 8567 8735.