Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [HL]

I was telling the Committee that the system that has been set up is complex and local authority regulatory enforcement has not always been as effective as it might have been. LBRO has been established to address that problem and to drive forward essential improvements in local authority regulation services. Its core aim is to support local authorities to regulate more effectively. It will be judged, of course, on its ability to reduce burdens on business and to build the capability of local authority regulatory services to deliver what has come to be known as the better regulation agenda. LBRO will work with local authorities to build on the many examples of good practice that are already emerging on the ground. In addition, LBRO will use its statutory functions to ensure that local authorities comply with the principles of better regulation and to prepare and publish a concise list of national priorities for local authority regulatory services. While the organisation will have to work alongside national regulators and central government to achieve its objective, and may well advise the Government to implement deregulatory measures, its central concern—here, I am repeating myself—is to ensure the implementation of the better regulation agenda at the local authority level. There are about 400 separate local authorities’ regulatory powers. Sometimes, hardly surprisingly, those powers are used in a conflicting or uncertain way. We argue—we very much hope that the Committee agrees with us—that it is better for those that are regulated and for the regulators that this organisation exists. I emphasise that regulations are vital for a civilised society generally, so just to look to deregulate and not to use deregulation as part of the better regulation process would be an error. We are committed to regulatory reform. The noble Baroness’s Government were committed to regulatory reform. As the noble Lord, Lord Razzall, told us at Second Reading, this is not easy. These are not easy measures, but all Governments have to do what they can to make sure that regulations are better. We have listened to businesses, the public sector and voluntary organisations and we are currently undertaking one of the most radical reform agendas in the world to strip away unnecessary and burdensome regulations. Of course, regulatory reform is essential for economic growth, global competitiveness and the delivery of better public services, and the Government are taking genuine action to reduce excessive regulation. We recognise, as must all Members of the Committee, that regulation brings valuable benefits, such as fair competition, employee welfare and the protection of our environment. The benefits of regulation have to outweigh the costs and burdens that it imposes. Better regulation is a light touch while upholding the valuable protections that regulations provide. As my noble friend Lord Borrie told the Committee, LBRO’s work relates to better regulation, not deregulation. It is appropriate for the office to be named the Local Better Regulation Office. In moving the amendment, the noble Baroness seemed to attack the idea of the primary authority. I would be disappointed if she and her party maintain that attitude because, as I understand it, the idea is very much supported by a number of those who have been in touch with her and with us. I did not detect from her Second Reading speech that she was unutterably opposed to the primary authority, but when we get to that stage in the Committee’s proceedings—who knows when that will be?—I look forward to hearing what she says about it. I am in danger of making a Second Reading speech. I refer noble Lords to the speech made by my noble friend Lord Jones of Birmingham at Second Reading, who put much better than me—