Promises to reduce red tape for small businesses made in the Budget have been blasted by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) as a “cheap soundbite”.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said small- and medium-sized businesses “have heard many times before, while the burden of red tape continues to grow”.
He added: Sadly, this government is more apt to pander to the media by introducing knee-jerk policies than to consider the impact of new legislation on business. The culture of regulation needs to change in every government department, rather than just one being assigned to conduct yet another review.”
The ACS has re-iterated its pledge to reduce carrier bag use following the proposal that a levy on carrier bags would be introduced if further progress was not made towards cutting the environmental impact of carrier bags.
Lowman said: “We have fully supported the government’s targets to reduce the impact of carrier bags and there are countless excellent initiatives by independent retailers aimed at reducing bag use.
"A levy on carrier bags would, if introduced sensitively, hold no fears for convenience stores. We will continue to promote voluntary measures in this area and to work with government on the detail of a levy, if it decides this is the right way forward.”
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