Government 'must delay £800m business laws'

The Government must help small businesses by delaying new legislation which could cost nearly £800m a year, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has warned.

The organisation says that the forthcoming regulations will place additional pressure on businesses which are already struggling in the current economic climate.

New business legislation is currently introduced on two common commencement dates each year, 6 April and 1 October.

Some of the key legislation due to come into force this year includes:

§ Extending flexible working rights to parents of children up to the age of 16

§ Increasing statutory holiday entitlement to 28 days

§ Changes to Home Information Packs

§ Additional Waste Control measures

The FSB is calling on the Government to consider each piece of legislation individually to determine whether it can be delayed.

John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said, 'The small business sector is confident it can help pull us out of the recession. Suspending legislation that could cost small firms up to £800 million will allow them to concentrate on getting the economy back on track'.