This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25903681

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Cameron pledges to cut red tape for small business Cameron pledges to cut red tape for small business
(about 2 hours later)
Thousands of rules affecting business are to be scrapped or amended, David Cameron will tell a Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) conference. Thousands of rules affecting business are to be scrapped or amended, David Cameron has told a Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) conference.
More than 3,000 rules will be dropped or changed, saving more than £850m a year, he will tell the FSB. More than 3,000 rules will be dropped or changed, saving more than £850m a year, he told the FSB.
They include 640 pages of cattle movement guidance, 286 pages of hedgerow regulations and 380 pages of waste management rules.They include 640 pages of cattle movement guidance, 286 pages of hedgerow regulations and 380 pages of waste management rules.
Mr Cameron wants "less regulation in place than when we started". Mr Cameron said he wanted to "get out of the way of small business success."
The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) will have slashed 80,000 pages of environmental guidance by March 2015, Mr Cameron will say, saving businesses around £100m per year. He said his government would be the first in history to end a term in office with less regulation on the statute books than when it came into power.
'Risk takers'
Citing some regulations he thought should go, Mr Cameron said: "If you want to sell oven cleaner in this country you need to have a poison licence."
Cutting the country's deficit, reducing taxes and freezing fuel duty was part of the government's "clear long-term economic plan", he said.
Reducing red tape, cutting business rates, and scrapping the jobs tax from April 2015 were ways the government was supporting small businesses, said Mr Cameron.
"We need to be a country that celebrates enterprise and backs risk takers," he said.
The Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) will have slashed 80,000 pages of environmental guidance by March 2015, saving businesses around £100m per year, the government announced.
And housebuilders will see 100 "overlapping and confusing standards" applied to new homes reduced "to less than 10" - reforms the government estimates will save the industry about £60m.And housebuilders will see 100 "overlapping and confusing standards" applied to new homes reduced "to less than 10" - reforms the government estimates will save the industry about £60m.
Other proposed measures for small businesses will include a £1.1bn package of business rates relief, £100m of broadband vouchers to help businesses get online, and up to £2,000 each in growth funding for 20,000 small businesses. Other proposed measures for small businesses include a £1.1bn package of business rates relief, £100m of broadband vouchers to help businesses get online, and up to £2,000 each in growth funding for 20,000 small businesses.
The FSB said that big business could help more by paying suppliers on time.The FSB said that big business could help more by paying suppliers on time.
Engine for growthEngine for growth
Mike Cherry, the FSB's policy chairman, said he wanted the conference to help set the agenda for a sector that is frequently portrayed as an engine for growth, skills, and economic recovery.Mike Cherry, the FSB's policy chairman, said he wanted the conference to help set the agenda for a sector that is frequently portrayed as an engine for growth, skills, and economic recovery.
"The government must focus on how they can support these businesses in job creation and growth while the UK's large businesses need to play their part, too, in supporting ambitious small businesses, for example, through paying their smaller suppliers promptly," he said."The government must focus on how they can support these businesses in job creation and growth while the UK's large businesses need to play their part, too, in supporting ambitious small businesses, for example, through paying their smaller suppliers promptly," he said.
Despite multiple support schemes for small firms, research suggested only limited take-up or support. The FSB has called the current system "congested and confusing", pointing to the US as a better model.Despite multiple support schemes for small firms, research suggested only limited take-up or support. The FSB has called the current system "congested and confusing", pointing to the US as a better model.
The US Small Business Administration (SBA), part of government, has a large budget, long-term strategy, and influence at the centre of power, Mr Cherry said.The US Small Business Administration (SBA), part of government, has a large budget, long-term strategy, and influence at the centre of power, Mr Cherry said.
"The UK government should look at whether an institution built along the principles of the US SBA is needed - bringing together business support, export guidance, public procurement, and other small business functions into one place, providing a powerful small business voice within government.""The UK government should look at whether an institution built along the principles of the US SBA is needed - bringing together business support, export guidance, public procurement, and other small business functions into one place, providing a powerful small business voice within government."
Growth focusGrowth focus
Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said that Labour would create an SBA to support small firms in their dealings with government departments.Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said that Labour would create an SBA to support small firms in their dealings with government departments.
Karen Mills, former head of the SBA and a former member of President Barack Obama's cabinet, will address the conference.Karen Mills, former head of the SBA and a former member of President Barack Obama's cabinet, will address the conference.
She said: "As governments look to the future, their plans have to be centred on growth, and the primary currency should be well-paying jobs.She said: "As governments look to the future, their plans have to be centred on growth, and the primary currency should be well-paying jobs.
"With that, any conversation focused on jobs must include small business and entrepreneurship.""With that, any conversation focused on jobs must include small business and entrepreneurship."
She added: "When small business has a seat at the table, we can more effectively focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, which are critical components to a strong economic game plan in today's world."She added: "When small business has a seat at the table, we can more effectively focus on entrepreneurship and innovation, which are critical components to a strong economic game plan in today's world."