Red tape pledge

 Business sceptical over Javid’s red tape pledge

Businesses and lobby groups have voiced their scepticism over plans by Sajid Javid to cut £10bn in regulation over the life of the new Conservative parliament say Harris & Co chartered accountants. John Longworth, director-general of the BCC, said: "Every government since [Margaret Thatcher’s] has said they will cut or limit regulation and has signally failed to do it." Mr Javid said the previous coalition government had already made "a big difference" and, as a result, business was enjoying simpler audits, less bureaucracy and fewer employment tribunals. Although welcoming the stance, business groups want concrete results. Mike Cherry, at the FSB, said: "Targets are clearly the way the government prefers to operate. We prefer to deal with issues themselves. It"s the delivery that"s important."