Nick Clegg announces red tape ambition

Date: 27th October 2011

Small business owners around the UK could be among those encouraged by a recent pledge made by Nick Clegg.

The deputy prime minister has announced that the coalition is aiming to be the first British government to vacate office having reduced the red tape burden faced by the country's businesses.

It comes as the Liberal Democrat leader addressed an audience of business owners, saying that they need to increasingly demand for red tape to to be cut, especially with regard to tax compliance.

"On average, for every hour someone in a big company spends on paperwork, someone in a smaller firm spends nearly nine hours. The typical small business owner says they are spending around a day a week complying with government regulation rather than bringing in new business," Mr Clegg explained.

"That is bad enough in the good times. It makes even less sense when times are tough. This country needs you focusing on making your businesses a success, not distracted by the endless hoops you have to jump through."

Posted by Emily Smith