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Firms still facing red tape burden

Oct 02 2007

Small firms are still facing excessive amounts of regulation, new research has revealed.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), small firms often spend up to seven hours a week dealing with papers and other bureaucratic matters.

And, in an attempt to underline the burden that is placed on owners, the FSB is launching a DVD at the Conservative party conference and in Brussels showing the effects of red tape.

Tina Sommer, FSB EU affairs chairman says: 'There is no doubt that the volume and complexity of red tape is excessive.

'Shorter, simpler regulations will enable businesses to follow the rules more easily as well as protect their existing employees.'

She adds: 'They will also be able to hire more staff as they use more of their seven lost hours to grow their businesses.'

Some 58 per cent of business owners said they would spend more time training staff or working with schools if they had seven extra hours a week.

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