Cutting red tape

Tony Blair outlined 500 measures to cut the £14bn cost of red tape to individuals, firms and charities yesterday. The aim is to save up to £2bn a year from measures which include simplifying forms for planning applications and rules covering fire certificates.

The proposals are encouraging but there have been such announcements before with no real change. The Labour government has increased the amount of red tape over the last nine and a half years. The PM's plans might come too late for him to leave a positive legacy with businesses.