Jim Fitzpatrick, who has been appointed minister for employment relations and postal services, says the Government will listen to small businesses' concerns.

He told This Is Money:

"We've introduced impact assessments, simplified rules about how companies are formed, and restructured company law.

"But if businesses feel that legislation is not working, we want to hear from them."

According to the British Chambers of Commerce, business regulations introduced since Labour came to power in 1997 have cost small firms an additional £50 billion.