Prime Highlights-
- The Institute of Directors has welcomed the Government’s new measures to cut red tape and reduce business costs, saying they will help smaller firms in particular and calling for simple, proportionate rules delivered in a coordinated way across government.
- The IoD said the “Tell Us Once” initiative and improved guidance will benefit many small businesses, and urged ministers to consider how multiple reforms combine for owners.
Key Facts-
- Ilaria Lavalle Miller leads the IoD’s governance and policy work.
- Liz Barclay is a former Small Business Commissioner.
Background-
The Institute of Directors (IoD) has welcomed the Government’s new measures to cut red tape and reduce costs for businesses, especially smaller firms.
Ilaria Lavalle Miller, the IoD’s chief governance and policy officer, said the group supports the aim of removing unnecessary burdens. She said duplicate reporting rules should end and regulation should stay simple and proportionate. She also called for strong impact assessments, real consultation and coordinated delivery across departments, agencies and regulators, so reforms avoid piecemeal change.
Miller said reporting and governance rules should help firms grow, reach finance and investment, and give confidence to creditors and investors. She added that reform should match the UK’s wider trade goals and its ties with key partners. The IoD, she said, trains directors and business leaders to apply proportionate governance that builds resilience and manages risk.
Liz Barclay, the IoD’s special adviser for small business and entrepreneurship, welcomed the Government’s commitment to small and micro firms. She described them as the backbone of the economy and a key source of innovation, jobs and youth opportunities. She said heavy regulation pulls owners away from building their businesses and adds pressure and the risk of errors.
Barclay said many small firms will welcome measures such as “Tell Us Once,” along with better support and guidance. She encouraged the Government to weigh the combined effect of several changes at once, so founders and owners can adapt smoothly.