The Better Regulation Executive in the Cabinet Office is driving forward the UK’s radical programme of regulatory reform, delivering real progress for business, the public sector and the third sector. It is:- leading the UK’s cross-government simplification programme. Government departments have committed to reducing administrative burdens by a quarter by 2010. In December 2006 departments published simplification plans identifying over 500 measures committing to £4bn worth of regulatory savings;

- working with national and local regulators to ensure they focus on the areas of greatest risk, and providing positive help to businesses seeking to comply with regulation;

- working on the European stage to achieve reduced regulation from the European Union. In March 2007, the European Commission and EU leaders from 27 countries committed to reducing administrative burdens resulting from EU law by 25% over the next five years.

The UK’s agenda on better regulation is widely regarded as being one of the most ambitious in the world. The World Bank ranks us 6th in the world and 1st in the EU for ease of doing business. The Government’s investment in better regulation is focused on keeping it that way.