SCM Network

Home | Contact us | Print page

You are here: Home

The UK's Office of National Statistics to pilot new methodology for calculating compliance costs in line with the Standard Cost Model

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) in the United Kingdom has an obligation to measure and annually report on the burdens it places on businesses participating in its surveys. Such surveys can be a burden on business and consequently impact the UK’s 2005 target for the reduction of administrative burdens on businesses by 25%. The Survey Control Unit (SCU), which is part of the Quality Centre in Methodology Division at the Office for National Statistics (ONS), has sought to minimise the burdens that compliance with government surveys place on business. The SCU has been working on a new methodology for calculating compliance costs in line with the Standard Cost Model and is currently in the process of piloting and perfecting the new methodology for roll-out

Polish anti-bureaucratic chair competition has been cancelled

Please note that unfortunately the anti-bureaucratic chair competition has been terminated because no project that fulfilled the formal criteria for the contest had been received.

[28 October 2008]

Stoiber Group launches competition to find the Best Idea for Red Tape Reduction sponsored by the SCM Network

Today the High Level Group of Independent Stakeholders on Administrative Burden Reduction, chaired by Dr. Edmund Stoiber, officially launched the Best Idea for Red Tape Reduction Award. The aim of the competition is to attract ideas from businesses and citizens across the EU on how bureaucracy stemming from EU law can be cut. The SCM Network is sponsoring the competition along with the Bertelsmann Foundation. The winner will be announced on 13 May at the European Enterprise Awards ceremony in Prague.

Irish Prime Minister's Office reports on the effectiveness of its regulatory impact assessment system

The Irish Prime Minister's Office has conducted a thorough review of the effectiveness of its regulatory impact assessment system since it was introduced in 2001. Its findings can be found in the report below. The report points out the system's strengths and weaknesses and makes recommendations for improvements.

UK Government launches consultation on limiting the cost of new regulations

The UK Government has launched a consultation on the introduction of a new system of regulatory budgets for Departments that would limit the cost of new regulation. A world first for the UK, implementing regulatory budgets would allow the Government to better manage the costs of new regulation, taking account of their overall impact on the economy. Business and charities would benefit from better controlled regulatory costs and greater certainty about future regulation, allowing them to plan ahead.

25 ideas for simpliyfing EU law

The UK Government has just published a report outlining 25 ideas for simplifying EU law. The aim of the report is twofold: to feed into the Commission’s thinking for its simplification proposals expected later this year; and to share ways in which the UK Government has reduced administrative burdens stemming from EU legislation. It estimates that, if implemented, these ideas could save the EU economy €6.6 billion.

Poland is looking for the best anti-bureaucratic chair in Europe!

The Polish Government has launched a competition to find the best anti-bureaucratic chair in Europe! The competition aims to promote the idea of reducing bureaucracy through the application of innovative models to design a chair - a piece of furniture which is usually associated with sitting, static office work. The watchword of the competition is "Sit less, think more". The deadline for the project submission will be 3rd October. However the participants should register before 21st June. (The deadline has been extended due to huge interest and a request from the competition's partners.) On 15th October the results will be announced.