A Local Better Regulation Office has been set up to make regulation more simple and effective.

In addition, a draft Bill has been tabled which would make it easier for councils to enforce trading and health and safety regulations. One of its proposals is to give local authorities the ability to issue on-the-spot fines to businesses.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) welcomed the proposals, but the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said it was important local authorities did not use such new powers as an easy source of cash.