Blair sets 12-week response period for consultations

Prime Minister Tony Blair announced this week that government departments should give businesses a 12-week response period to consultation exercises.

The recommendation for consultation periods and response times is part of a report, Helping Small Firms Cope with Regulation – Exemptions and Other Approaches, which was published in April.

Lord Haskins, chairman of the Better Regulation Task Force, said, “Businesses need time to comment on proposals and then help to comply with new regulations. These 12-week periods will help business greatly.

“There may be times when departments have to reduce the consultation or compliance periods. However, I hope that such occurrences will be kept to an absolute minimum. If departments flout the 12-week rules too often, businesses will have to ask why.”

Other measured announced yesterday by the prime minister after his meeting with Lord Haskins include reducing and simplifying current regulations, a code of practice on written consultations and the streamlining of employment tribunals.

Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance

Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday

Email(Required)

OptOut

From time to time, we will send you emails about selected products, events and services from Personnel Today and OHW+ - but you can choose to opt-out at any time. If you do not wish to receive these emails, please tick this box.

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Δ

www.cabinet-office.gov.uk

By Paul Nelson