To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what recent estimate his Department has made of the cost to UK businesses of the administrative burden of regulation. (290233)

In May 2005, the administrative cost of regulations was measured using the internationally recognised Standard Cost Model. The measurement exercise included 19 Government Departments, regulators and agencies. The burden was estimated at £13.2 billion annually. The Government have committed to reduce administrative burdens associated with complying with regulations by 25 per cent. net by May 2010. As at December 2008, an estimated £1.9 billion net annual savings had been delivered.