Small firms have welcomed proposals to cut red tape in the Queen’s Speech.

The Federation of Small Businesses in Kent and Medway praised various measures, including a Deregulation Bill.

Chairman Roger House said: “We will be looking closely at this Bill, with a view to further simplifying and reducing regulation for small firms in Kent and Medway. We have welcomed much of what the Government has done so far in this area and look forward to further measures to make it easier for local small businesses to be both compliant but also grow.”

He also welcomed plans to exempt many small firms from paying national insurance, saying it would encourage them to take on staff. “This will help local small businesses wary of the cost of employment to take on staff and help those that currently employ to free up funds to expand and grow,” he said.

As for banking reform, Mr House said the Bill was “an important opportunity to provide more stability for small businesses throughout the county and to open up competition in the sector. This needs to come from more banks on Kent high streets providing genuine choice for small firms. We want to see the Financial Conduct Authority look at the ways that competition can be opened up and entry to the banking sector made easier.”

There was also a welcome for measures on education, traineeships and apprenticeships.

“Kent FSB welcomes this Government’s focus on driving up standards and rigour in schools and education. We support the intentions to improve the Apprenticeship programme and look forward to the implementation of the Richard Review recommendations to put employers at the programme’s heart.”

Meanwhile, John Cridland, director-general of the CBI, the employers’ group, said: “Business does not need a raft of new bills at this stage of a Parliament. You cannot legislate your way to economic growth – laws are only ever one piece of the jigsaw. With only two years to go until the next election, business needs delivery on the ground not time-consuming new bills that will have little or no impact before 2015.

“Ministers must focus on driving up exports; getting finance to firms; cutting costs and red tape; and boosting the construction industry through housing.”