A GOVERNMENT pledge in the Queen's speech to cut red tape on business has been welcomed by Lancaster district Chamber of Commerce chief executive Adrian Wilkinson.

He said the regulatory reform bill was a positive move which would enable government departments to ease unnecessary and outdated regulations that burden businesses.

"We particularly welcome the priority given by the Prime Minister to use this measure to simplify the over-burdensome fire safety rules that baffle many firms," he said.

But chamber members were concerned these measures would be "completely overshadowed" by government plans to introduce further layers of employment regulation, including paid parental leave and extended maternity leave, which acted as a "major barrier" to small business competitiveness, added Mr Wilkinson.