Local MP on Reform Committee

Date: 8th November 2010


Release: Immediate

Subject: MP appointed on Regulatory Reform Select Committee



Local MP, Gordon Henderson has been appointed to an important Parliamentary committee which scrutinises regulatory proposals before they are approved by the Government.



The Regulatory Policy Committee provides independent scrutiny of legislation and advises ministers on whether there is sufficient evidence and analysis to support a new regulation, before they decide in favour of moving ahead with it or not.



Mr Henderson said,



“The Regulatory Policy Committee is an important part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to a “one-in, one-out” approach to new regulations.



“Ministers recognise the way in which red-tape is slowly strangling businesses and they are determined to control and reduce the burden of regulation. The “one-in, one-out” system requires any new regulatory cost to be compensated for by cuts in the costs of old regulations.



“The Regulatory Policy Committee will examine the likely impact that any new regulation is likely to have on businesses and advise ministers whether the costs outweigh the benefits.



“I have set as one of my priorities during the next five years to forge strong links with my local business community and I have visited a large number of companies in the last few months to find out what problems they face. The recurring complaint I receive is about the amount of red-tape imposed on them.



“Being on this committee will give me a real input into the Government’s battle to reduce the costs imposed on our local business by government regulations.”





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