A review of the way appeals are dealt with by regulators has been launched by David Cameron’s government as the first stage of what it identifies as a ‘new wave’ of bureaucracy busting measures.
As part of the Focus on Enforcement Appeals Review process, businesses will have the opportunity to partake in the review, giving those affected the chance to air experiences of formal and informal appeals processes.
It is hoped the companies involved will suggest how the appeals processes could work more effectively.
‘We have started a bonfire of excessive red tape, but I know that it is just as important that we look at the way that regulations are enforced,’ Fall exclaims.
‘There is room for far more effective enforcement which reduces the burden on business which stick to the rules. Despite best efforts, sometimes things can go wrong – that has become clear from previous Focus on Enforcement Reviews. So I want to hear views on how we can improve the way appeals currently work.’
Fallon adds that the review will also collate cases of approaches that have successfully helped companies understand regulators’ decisions and meet obligations more effectively.
The move to improve the effectiveness of appeals comes following measures outlined in George Osborne’s Autumn Statement, which aimed to ‘tackle systematic problems with the way regulations are enforced’.
Measures included: a consultation on placing a legislative duty on non-economy regulators; a new accounting system for regulators and a consultation on an amended Regulators’ Compliance Code.
More on the Autumn Statement 2012:
