BUSINESS REGULATION DURING A RECESSION

That this House notes with concern the high cost to small businesses of additional business regulation in the current economic climate; further notes that nearly 30 per cent. of members of the Federation of Small Businesses cite increasing amounts of regulation as a barrier to expansion; believes that the Government's priority as unemployment approaches two million should be to keep people in employment and make it easier for small businesses to retain staff and grow; and calls on the Government to review the impact of all business regulations due to come into force in April 2009 and delay the introduction of those that will impose additional costs or administrative burdens until the economy shows real signs of recovery.