London-based newspaper The Times reports that Mr Cameron used a special cabinet session yesterday to recommend to ministers that they should overlook legal advice in favour of taking measures that will cut red tape and quicken the rate of economic recovery.
Deal breakers
The newspaper also claimed that ministers were told that they should not be put off pursuing projects because of threats to wildlife habitats.
A government aide told The Times: ‘You can allow legal advice to become a deal-breaker. Or sometimes the risk is small and it’s worth taking.
The issue arose after Downing Street revealed its frustrations over the slow pace of the UK’s economic recovery and the struggle to pass reforms through Whitehall.
Red tape costs
The Times goes on to suggest that while regulatory costs to businesses have recently been cut by £3.323 billion, the vast majority of that figure is the result of businesses now being allowed to use the consumer price index for pensions rather than the retail price index. According to the paper, if that adjustment had not been made, the burden on business would actually have increased by around £50 million.
Mr Cameron is also insisting on pushing ahead with his government’s reform of planning rules, in a move that is sure to aggravate countryside groups who believe the plans will lead to a legal free-for-all for potential developers.
Deal breakers
The newspaper also claimed that ministers were told that they should not be put off pursuing projects because of threats to wildlife habitats.
A government aide told The Times: ‘You can allow legal advice to become a deal-breaker. Or sometimes the risk is small and it’s worth taking.
The issue arose after Downing Street revealed its frustrations over the slow pace of the UK’s economic recovery and the struggle to pass reforms through Whitehall.
Red tape costs
The Times goes on to suggest that while regulatory costs to businesses have recently been cut by £3.323 billion, the vast majority of that figure is the result of businesses now being allowed to use the consumer price index for pensions rather than the retail price index. According to the paper, if that adjustment had not been made, the burden on business would actually have increased by around £50 million.
Mr Cameron is also insisting on pushing ahead with his government’s reform of planning rules, in a move that is sure to aggravate countryside groups who believe the plans will lead to a legal free-for-all for potential developers.
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