Bibby Consulting and Support compliance specialists, respond to the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’.

Reducing red tape for businesses can only be a good thing, compliance specialist Bibby Consulting & Support has said in response to claims that the government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’ might actually mean more work for companies as opposed to less.

The Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has revealed that many visitors to the ‘Red Tape Challenge’ website have called for existing regulations to be maintained or even increased. The suggestion is that fewer regulations could mean diluted rights and protections, particularly in health & safety.

Although he said the site had been “bombarded” by such messages, Cable insisted that one of the government’s top priorities was to reduce the amount of regulation that small companies and start-up businesses face. But he warned companies: “Please don’t pretend this is easy.”

Bibby Consulting & Support understands that many regulations are essential to protect businesses and employees but also supports efforts to minimise the amount of complex legislation that companies have to abide by and which has been generated over the years.

Managing Director Michael Slade says: “Clearly, it is in everybody’s interest to have health and safety safeguards within businesses to ensure that all staff members are able to work in a safe environment. This is not in dispute.”

“However, it also needs to be recognised that there is a considerable amount of employment law regulation that does nothing to help businesses work at maximum efficiency and to expand as they become more successful. As long as rights are maintained, we consider the time and effort required to cut down on regulation to be a very worthwhile investment.

Unfortunately however recent reports state that the site currently appears to be used more by members of the public and consumer groups who are expressing a one-sided view that existing regulations should be maintained or more worryingly still, increased. We are strongly urging business leaders to add their own views and ensure that their voices are heard.”

For employment law specialists and health and safety advisors, consult Bibby Consulting & Support http://www.bibbycas.com

Doncaster and Peterborough have been centres for distribution since the opening of Great Northern Railway’s London to York line way back in 1850.

Peterborough and Doncaster are not the first areas people will first think of as large business and distribution centres but they really are major players in this field. Their locations are their key along with their excellent transport links both road and rail most notably commencing with the opening of the Great Northern Railway London to York line in 1850. Peterborough and Doncaster road links are equally as effective hense major road haulage and distribution centres.

Peterborough has a vibrant business community and is a business destination for conferencing and for UK distribution head quarters. Even Peterborough Cathedral, voted in the top 10 UK landmarks in the Fujifilm user’s poll of 2007, has conferencing facilities. Peterborough is only 75 miles from London but is equally as accessible from the north by the East Coast Mainline and by the M1 motorway. On this line, Newcastle is two hours away and London just one hour. Also by rail from the east as Peterborough is served by the main cross country Liverpool to Norwich train.

The start of Doncaster’s distribution activities stem from the coal mining industry. Coal was shipped to the local steel production firms in Sheffield and Rotherham. For modern day distribution, Doncaster is ideally located to major cities such as Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle also the Midlands. Major high street retailers, supermarket distribution to the north and rail freight to Europe all have large facilities in Doncaster. With such major companies and organisations having offices and distributions centres here, hotels in Doncaster now cater very well for the corporate guest. To further enhance Doncaster as a business centre, the Robin Hood Airport has flights to mainland Europe, Barbados, Poland and even Mexico. The Robin Hood Airport is the UK’s newest purpose built airport on the old RAF Finningley.

In 2005, Tesco opened a brand new 370,000 square feet distribution centre and shortly after they took over a centre in Doncaster and further expanded it by 110,000 square feet. Both of these sites are fresh food depots. Conferences and meetings are obviously held in abundance in Peterborough with many Doncaster hotels having excellent conferencing facilities.