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Improving regulation
16/06/2009
Scotland's public bodies are delivering more accountable and proportionate regulation, according to a watchdog's latest report card.
The Regulatory Review Group's second annual report praises progress across the public sector in developing better regulation and suggests areas where improvements can be made.
The report shows substantial progress has been made, particularly in developing partnerships between business and government and in encouraging regulators to improve the way legislation and regulation is administered.
Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said:
"Better regulation makes a better nation and a more competitive economy. During a recession it is crucial that we all deliver the kind of favourable business environment in which companies can sustain their operations and grow and flourish in the future.
"Regulation in Scotland comes as much from Westminster and Europe as it does Holyrood and I am pleased that many different parts of the public sector, fulfilling many different functions, are committed to better regulation. This is good progress.
"Challenges do exist to ensure the potential impacts on business are fully understood and firmly embedded in policy development before legislation or regulation is made.
"I am very grateful for the work done by Professor Russel Griggs and the rest of the group and look forward to another year of improving regulation for Scotland's benefit. "
Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of the Regulatory Review Group said:
"The partnership between Government, regulators, business and other interested parties has worked well again and we are making good progress towards the culture change we all desire.
"In the year ahead we aim to improve engagement and joint work with local authorities and with Government to better connect our five principles and how they fit within the Concordat."
The Regulatory Review Group (RRG) was set up in 2004 and is an industry-led group made up of:
- Chairman - Professor Russel Griggs OBE - Confederation of British Industry
- Charlotte Barbour - Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
- Stephen Boyd - Scottish Trade Union Congress
- Garry Clark - Scottish Chambers of Commerce
- Martyn Evans - Consumer Focus Scotland
- Jim Gorie - Forum of Private Business
- Susan Love - Federation of Small Businesses
- Niall Stuart - Scottish Council for Development and Industry
- James Withers - National Farmers Union Scotland
The following people have observer status within the Group:
- Kyla Brand - Office of Fair Trading
- Michael Gibson - Local Better Regulation Office
- John Henderson - Scotland Office