Kemi Badenoch, pictured with Grant Shapps, has reneged on a Tory promise to repeal or reform all legacy EU laws by the end of the year. Martyn Wheatley/i-Images
Efforts to repeal EU laws and boost UK competitiveness are being thwarted by a zero net income target, business secretary warned.
Kemi Badenoch said the promises made Grant Shapps, energy secretary, to keep environmental laws were «controversial» to her mission to reduce red tape in business.
Speaking to MPs, she suggested that some of her cabinet colleagues and civil servants showed a reluctance to abandon EU rules.
Last month, the business secretary angered Euroskeptics when she abruptly reversed the action government. plans to ignite EU regulations.
The Commons European Control Committee asked her why she backtracked on a promise to repeal or reform all legacy laws by the end of this year.
Instead, she published a list of 600 rules to be eliminated, many of which she admits are «rather redundant than what's holding us back.» message in February, said she was in a «restricted environment» due to zero commitments.
She was pressured by Craig McKinley, Conservative MP for South Thanet, over what EU laws she prioritizes trash to «show the benefits of Brexit».
She told the committee: “The principles I'm starting from are what we can do to reduce the burden on businesses. My predecessors made commitments to worker rights, environmental regulations and so on, so the restrictions are already there.
“I am entering a restricted environment. Make life easier for people. Make things less complicated. That's what we've been focusing on.»
She added, «There are some things that I think other departments can do, but they've made a commitment.
“I'm thinking about department zero or transportation. They've made commitments that are contrary to what I'm trying to do.»
«We're not arsonists.» The retained EU bill has already been passed by the House of Commons.
David Jones, Vice Chair of the European Study Group, said the move was «disrespectful» and he «hard to understand» why the promise was scrapped at all.
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Ms Badenoch said she would publish five more «batch» of EU laws by the end of the year, but insists she never had a «fire rules» plan.
«We are not arsonists,» — she said. “I'm definitely not an arsonist. I am a conservative. What we wanted was reform and the removal of things we don't need.»
However, the business secretary also expressed disappointment that cabinet colleagues and officials from other departments seemed reluctant to give up EU regulations.
She said it would be «very helpful» for her to have Eurosceptic MPs write to ministers urging them to explain why they are not getting rid of bureaucracy. departments that need to get rid of their legislation,” she said. “I don’t have any leverage with them other than charm them and ask them to be nice and get rid of things they don’t need.” .
A call to business leaders
Ms Badenoch said she would like to involve business leaders more in decision-making regarding the lifting of EU rules.
She said the previous approach has evolved into an exercise in which civil servants work around the clock to keep the majority of EU laws in place.
“If we leave the decision mostly to officials as to what needs to be removed, there will almost always be a reason that leave something,” she told the deputies.
“Officials will look at the rules that they use and assume that they must be observed. You need people working in industry to help make those decisions.”
Ms Badenoch also warned that the House of Lords could still block passage of an EU law retention bill that gives ministers the power to waive rules EU. .
She warned them, «I will stand my ground,» after admitting that the descent was due to fears they would delay passing the law until the end of this year.
Shortly after In doing so, colleagues defeated the government and supported an amendment requiring ministers to consult outside experts before repealing EU environmental laws.
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