Question
asked Her Majesty's Government:What is their current estimate of the costs to the United Kingdom of European Union directives and regulations.
Answer
The Government estimate that the total administrative burden on business, charities and the voluntary sector in England derived from EU legislation is approximately £6.3 billion per annum. This estimate excludes the costs of EU administrative burdens in financial services which are not available in this format. The Government are committed to European regulatory reform and welcome the European Council's endorsement on 9 March 2007 of a 25 per cent target to reduce administrative burdens on business arising from EU law by 2012.