Business Taskforce Report (Cut EU Red Tape)

Matt Hancock Excerpts

Thursday 6th November 2014 Written Statements

[The Minister for Business and Enterprise (Matthew Hancock)]

The business taskforce report—“Cut EU red tape”—published a year ago, set out practical ways to reform EU rules, regulations and practices to make European businesses more competitive.

It put forward 30 recommendations to reform the most burdensome EU rules, and proposed the COMPETE principles to ensure new EU proposals are pro-innovation and pro-growth. The report was welcomed by the Government and is now central to their EU reform agenda.

To mark the first anniversary of the business taskforce report, the Government today are publishing a short report—“Cut EU red tape: one year on”—setting out action to date in delivering the taskforce’s recommendations.

The progress report shows welcome progress, with 10 of the 30 recommendations already achieved, and a series of further recommendations where good progress is being made.

The report also illustrates the considerable support shown for the COMPETE principles, including from UK and EU business organisations, the European Parliament, and the Commission’s own better regulation advisory group (the Stoiber group).

The Government continue to press the Commission and EU partners to take action on the remaining recommendations, including those that are longer term and where delivery will be slower. The Government also continue to call on the Commission to implement the COMPETE principles in order to boost growth, competitiveness and innovation across Europe.

Copies of the progress report have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

The progress report, and the taskforce’s October 2013 report, “Cut EU red tape”, are also available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cut-eu-red-tape-business-taskforce-report-one-year-on