News
Is the Equality Act red tape?
11 April 2011
Last week the Government launched Red Tape Challenge - an initiative to encourage members of the public, businesses and community organisations to comment on whether the burden of current regulations is excessive.David Cameron launched the Challenge by saying:
"We need to tackle regulation with vigour, both to free businesses to compete and create jobs, and give people greater freedom and personal responsibility.
"Of course we need proper standards, for example in areas like fire safety and food safety. So where regulation is well-designed and proportionate, it should stay. But it is hard to believe that we need government regulations on issues such as ice cream van musical jingles. That’s why I want us to be the first government in modern history to leave office having reduced the overall burden of regulation, rather than increasing it.”
"Our starting point is that a regulation should go or its aim achieved in a different, non-government way, unless there is a clear and good justification for government being involved. Be in no doubt: all those unnecessary rules that place ridiculous burdens on our businesses and on society – they must go, once and for all."
“The campaign is part of the Government’s growth agenda and will tackle the stock of more than 21,000 statutory instruments that are currently putting barriers in the way of businesses, volunteers and the public.”
We have no strong views about the need for regulations on ice cream van musical jingles or bed prices, but it seems odd to say the least to put the primary legislation of the Equality Act 2010 in the same category.
Fortunately, there seems to be overwhelming opposition to the idea that the Act might be scrapped, with hundreds of supportive comments being added to the website daily at present.