News story

23 November 2000

LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS TO MEET "RED-TAPE BUSTER"

Business leaders from South Gloucestershire are to meet Lord Christopher Haskins, the head of the Government’s “Better Regulation Task Force” on Monday 4th December at a meeting hosted by Northavon MP, Steve Webb. Lord Haskins, who is also the chairman of Northern Foods, will tell local business leaders about the Government’s efforts to reduce the burden of bureaucracy on business. He will then take questions from the floor during which he is expected to be challenged about many of the new regulations which have been brought in since the last General Election. The meeting is the latest to be organised by the South Gloucestershire Business Forum, which was founded by Steve Webb MP in 1997. The Forum’s membership includes a mixture of major local employers such as Orange, Bae Systems and Western Power Distribution as well as a large number of small and medium-sized businesses. The event will take place at the Stoke Gifford offices of Axa Sun Life and will begin at 4.30pm, and more details can be obtained from the Forum Co-ordinator, Clive Parkinson, on 01454 419300, or from the office of Steve Webb MP.

Steve Webb said:

“We are very much looking forward to having Chris Haskins coming to address the Forum. All Governments talk about cutting red tape and yet businesses often tell me that the burden of regulation keeps growing. I expect this will be a lively meeting and will give local businesses a real chance to press the Government over regulatory issues”.

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Note to editors: Press are welcome to attend. Please contact Steve Webb if you would like to come.