Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many sectors of the United Kingdom economy are covered by regulatory agencies; how many agencies there are per sector; and how the pattern for 2013–14 compares with that of a decade ago.

A large number of organisations play a part in securing compliance with the law. They include national regulators, local authorities, and bodies independent of Government, some of which have statutory regulatory functions. [Data on coverage of sectors by regulatory agencies are not available].

Her Majesty’s Government has for the first time published details of the main national regulators, their remits and regulatory budgets and staff resource as well as the regulatory functions undertaken by local authorities on the BIS website: http://discuss.bis.gov.uk/focusonenforcement , a copy of which is attached for information.

This exercise mainly focuses on regulatory functions carried out in England. In the case of Scotland, it only applies to regulatory functions exercised in reserved matters. In Northern Ireland, it only applies to regulatory functions which have not been transferred. It does not apply to regulatory functions which are only exercisable in or as regards Wales.

Data about regulators was not collected or collated in this manner by Her Majesty’s Government. A decade ago, however, Sir Philip Hampton did publish details of a range of relevant bodies and a copy of this material is also attached for information.