An anti-red tape group has criticised the government for failing to undertake regulatory impact assessments (RIA) or look at alternatives rule changes.
In a new report, the Better Regulation Taskforce (BRTF) called on UK Chancellor Gordon Brown to introduce changes in regulatory reporting, making the trappings of government more open to people and businesses.
It says departments should make available the outcome of RIAs, alternatives to standard regulation, details of any consultations, commitments to review existing rules and evidence of clauses attached to regulations.
In a 'league table' of reporting standards produced for the report, only the Inland Revenue received top marks. Most departments relevant to business businesses, including Trade and Industry, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury, ranked in the middle tier.
In comparison, Customs and Excise, Culture, Media and Sport, the Home Office, and the Charity Commission were all singled out as being under par when making RIA’s .
The BRTF commented, "This year we only reviewed how well each department has reported. Next year we ask departments to publish enough to allow us to assess progress with better regulation as well as compliance with reporting guidance.
"We want to ensure that they are 'walking the walk' as well as 'talking the talk.' government asks business to report to high standards - departments must do the same."
The news comes in the wake of research by employment law firm Peninsula which shows that 83% of businesses believe red tape is holding their business back.
Peninsula said bosses were forced to spend too much time on paperwork, with little time left to contribute to business expansion.
Gordon Brown has promised that he will take the report into consideration when formulating his next round of government spending.
