PressRelease

 

 

 

Forimmediate release

Tuesday8 April 2003

 

 

Regional Assemblies:

good for business?

 

Proposed RegionalAssemblies for England were called into question today by the Institute ofDirectors (IoD). The Government's plans to set-up assemblies amounted to acostly expansion of bureaucracy that would deliver no tangible benefits the IoDsaid.

 

Specifically, theIoD's concerns, outlined in a policy paper, focused on:

 

       An expansion ofgovernment;

 

       Further confusionabout 'who does what' at regional level;

 

       Extra costs to thetaxpayer; and

 

       Yet more Governmenttargets and strategy documents.

 

 

James Walsh,Parliamentary Adviser at the IoD, said:

 

"Survey aftersurvey has shown that British businesses want to see a reduction in tax and redtape - less government not more. A typical assembly would employ 200 staff andcost 25 million of taxpayers money a year to run. That represents asignificant new layer of bureaucracy."

 

 

 

 

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The IoD said it alsohad serious concerns about the way regional policy is being used to align theUK more closely with constitutional arrangements found elsewhere in the EU.There seems little doubt the drive towards regional assemblies is motivated bya vision of a more continental-style settlement in the UK.

 

James Walsh, said:

 

"The Governmentcould do more for the regions by tackling regulatory and tax burdens. Ministersshould continue to improve the existing network of Business Links and giveRegional Development Agencies a tighter focus on business priorities.

 

"These practicalmeasures would be of greater benefit than establishing a series ofmini-parliaments across the regions of England."

 

Ends 8.4.03 No.160

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Editors:

 

1       Copies of the policypaper Regional Assemblies: Good forBusiness? are available from the IoD Press Office.

 

 

2.     The IoD(Institute of Directors) is a non-party political independent organisation witharound 55,000 members. In addition to its wide range of business services, theIoD provides an effective voice to represent the interests of its members togovernment and key opinion-formers. It also brings the experience of businessleaders to bear on the conduct of public affairs.

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Points:

 

Richard Taylor, PressOfficer, tel: 020 7451 3264

mobile and out of hours: 07721 734886

David Marshall,Director of Public Affairs, tel: 020 7451 3263

mobile and outof hours: 0776 4883420

email:

web: www.iod.com