Regulation

New Red Tape Risks Push for Growth


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Energy and Environment
Trade, Development, and Immigration

Matthew Lesh writes for The Spectator

IEA Director of Public Policy and Communications Matthew Lesh has written for The Spectator ahead of the King’s Speech warning that the uncosted burden of new regulations could dent the new government’s ambition to kickstart growth.

Matthew wrote:

“Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said ahead of the speech that the government will ‘take the brakes off Britain’. They are promising a legislative agenda focused on improving living standards by driving economic growth. This comes off the heels of big announcements on housebuilding, infrastructure and major projects. Reforming the planning system is undoubtedly the most important part of the new government’s agenda. It is something that could really unlock growth and prosperity.

“But, and there’s always a big but, the new government is promising more than just planning reform. They are proposing dozens of red tape measures that will put the breaks on businesses and entrepreneurs.

“Before the election, research from the Institute of Economic Affairs found that Labour’s manifesto contained 62 policies to increase regulation and just 13 that would decrease burdens on British business. Many new regulatory measures will be in the King’s Speech, undermining the new government’s pro-growth rhetoric.”

Read Matthew’s full piece here.

You can also read a copy of Matthew’s latest IEA research which analyses the uncosted regulatory commitments in the major parties’ General Election manifestos.



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