Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of his Department's contribution to the Government's aim of reducing regulatory burdens on business in (a) 2013-14, (b) 2014-15 and (c) 2015-16; and if he will make an estimate of the financial effect of those reductions on business.

The Department balances its role in protecting public health with the Government’s aim of reducing regulatory burdens on business. In the period in question this resulted in the following net increases/decreases in annual costs to business.

The Department is committed to the use of better regulation to achieve our objectives at the least cost to the economy, thereby promoting economic growth and prosperity. When we do regulate, it is only where it is necessary to protect public health and to ensure we provide safe, effective and compassionate care.