Business group complains about red tape

Business leaders have today called on the Government to "get off their backs" after claiming that employment regulations and taxes would cost UK firms a "staggering" £25.6bn over the next four years.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Jan 2010, 11:42 BST

Updated 19th Jan 2010, 11:43 BST

The British Chambers of Commerce warned that job creation could be hit because of a "blizzard" of new red tape and taxes planned between now and 2014.

The business group said eight major employment-related changes would go ahead in 2011 alone, even though companies continued to struggle in difficult trading conditions.

The report was published ahead of new unemployment figures tomorrow, which are expected to show another rise in the jobless total.

More than half the 25.6bn identified by the BCC comes from employer national insurance contributions, which will be increased by 1 per cent in April next year.

Government