EMPLOYERS have welcomed Government efforts to reduce the red tape burden on businesses, following the launch of the Better Regulation Bill consultation.

The Institute of Directors is urging the Government to take the opportunity to free businesses of regulatory obstacles and establish an enterprise culture for the 21st century.

Alyson Howard, chairman of the Kent branch of the IoD, said: "This is a good package of proposals, but it must be turned into action. The Government does appear to be genuinely committed to raising its game on Better Regulation.

"However, only solid reforms will convince our members this exercise is different from the false starts we have had in the past.

"We are ready to supply the Government with plenty of candidates for regulatory reform, but we also need a fundamental change of culture across Whitehall.

"We have to challenge the risk-averse attitude which leads policy-makers into tackling problems by regulation when less burdensome alternatives would be just as effective."