Small businesses to benefit from reduced regulatory charges

Date: 30th June 2009

Businesses that require a permit to operate under air pollution regulations but are affected by the economic downturn are set to see their permit costs reduced.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (defra), said that the cost of maintaining these operating permits would be reduced by 60 per cent.

This reduction is specifically reserved for firms whose operations have fallen below the necessary level to require a permit and those that have ceased production entirely so as to avoid the cost of re-application in the future.

Jim Fitzpatrick, the environment minister, said: "We know re-applying for these permits is an additional cost for businesses - that's why we have taken action to help small and medium size businesses retain their permits during these difficult economic times.

"By greatly reducing the cost, businesses will save money by paying less to keep their permit and be able to return to previous production levels without the additional costs of re-applying."

The lower cost permits are available for a maximum of two years.