The following has been
supplied by the TUC:
A
law intended to push forward the government's plans to strip employment
regulation and further limit or even abolish regulators will form part a key
part of the government's plans for the next session of parliament. The
Department for Business (BIS)
said the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, trailed in the 9 May Queen's
Speech, would include measures to 'reduce inspection burdens on business and
strengthen the legal framework for sunset clauses on regulation' and 'repeal
unnecessary legislation, cutting the burden on business and citizens.' John
Cridland, director-general of the business lobby group CBI
said 'the jury's out' on the government's regulatory reform plans, and called
for the new law to be used to cut regulations and regulators. 'We hear a lot
about regulatory reform, but the big prize for businesses would be to major on
the new power for 'sunset clauses' on regulation and regulators. Every new bit
of regulation should be time-limited and then reviewed.' He added: 'It is
employment regulation where the shoe pinches for growing firms. We await the
government's bold reforms in this area.' TUC
however indicated dangerous firms were already overlooked by regulators. A TUC
spokesperson said: 'Despite all the evidence, the government retains its
obsession that businesses are over-inspected. Changes introduced last year mean
that most employers will never have the benefit of a health and safety
inspection unless they report a death or serious injury. This will mean
employers will be both less likely to report injuries, and also will be less
likely to take adequate measures to protect their workforce.' He warned: 'We
are already seeing evidence that fatalities seem to be rising in many
industries as businesses cut back on health and safety. If the government
continues to give the message that good health and safety is a burden then this
can only increase.' Commenting on the wider attack on employment rights
included in the legislation, TUC
general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'What is worst is that ministers are
wrapping up a real attack on rights at work as good for growth and employment.
