THE FORUM OF Private Businesses (FPB) has calculated the cost of meeting regulations for small businesses has reached £2.7bn.
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The FPB says that transport and warehouse firms are among those who spend a large proportion of company time complying with legislation at an average of 33 hours a month.
Those with nine or less employees spend an average of 29 hours; those with between 10 and 50 employees spend around 41 hours; and companies with up to 249 workers spend 131 hours dealing with -government red tape':
The cost of employment legislation is £687m, the cost of health and safety legislation is £606m, and environmental compliance costs /318m, according to the FPB. Equality and diversity issues cost £149m to manage. ISO and industry standards £211m, tax .E510in, and building and property regulations £284m.The F113 says that if external costs are included, the cost of regulation to the sector including transport, garages, hotels and restaurants comes to £12bn.