How to label a goat - 2

The author of this new book about regulation has a piece in The Times today.

He points out that recent legislation

is remarkable not just for its bulk but for how tiny a proportion of it is ever debated in Parliament. The 29 Acts of Parliament that became law in the 12 months to May 31 this year are dwarfed by the 3,592 statutory instruments — orders and regulations introduced without reference to our elected representatives.

Even changes billed as cutting red tape usually introduce more onerous requirements for businesses.

I have studied enough previous “bonfires” of red tape to know what the outcome will be: the only red tape that goes up in flames will be that which makes life inconvenient for the Government.

Looks like a useful source book. But who is going to keep getting the message out there?

And will the book explain how little freedom of action the UK government actually has? I'm looking forward to reading the book.

Reportedly EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy was given a less than charitable reception at a top level City of London dinner last night. His claims that the EU was providing light touch regulation went down very poorly.