Harman's red tape revolving door

The phrase ‘give with one hand and take with the other’ has been used before to describe policy concerning UK business red tape. Here’s just one more example of where it applies.

Last week John Denham proudly announced that he would reduce bureaucracy for businesses hiring apprentices. His plan is part of a wider scheme to give young people work skills while boosting the economy through free labour.

Businesses were all smiles and the only ripple of concern referred to how long it would take to see through such a large number of changes and, indeed, if it would ever get done.

But, on the whole, thumbs up Mr Denham.

Fast forward, ooh, a whole four days and there are rumbles in Westminster which could wipe out the skills secretary’s good work before it even begins.

According to this article in The Times, equalities minister Harriet Harman is planning an amendment to the Equalities Bill that would wedge more red tape in the way of businesses bidding for government contracts.

It comes in the form of mandatory pay audits, which the government will use to see if businesses applying for tenders pay staff on an equal and fair basis.

The pledge was given to unions at last week’s Labour policy forum in Warwick. It states the following: “£160 billion is spent by the public sector on private sector contracts.

“The equality duty will require public bodies to give due regard to the need to tackle discrimination and promote equality through their purchasing functions. We will use our purchasing power to help private sector contractors to contribute to the delivery of our public policy objectives of greater equality.”

This hasn’t been formally introduced as an amendment to the Equalities Bill, a drsaft of which is due in the autumn. But business groups fear it will be snuck in by the back door.

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By Dan Matthews  on   Aug 11,2008

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Keywords

red tape    John Denham    Harriet Harman    equality    employees    recruitment    contracts   

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