Red Tape Challenge
Government asks sport, heritage, gambling and lottery industries to 'name and shame the regulations that are holding back your businesses'.
Those with a stake in the sport, heritage, gambling and lottery industries get the chance today to declare war on the rules and red tape that are holding back their growth and stifling their chances of success.
These industries will get their chance for the next three weeks to name and shame the regulations they want to see scrapped, through an easy-to-access website Red Tape Challenge
The website will give them the opportunity to say whether regulations targeted at these sectors, ranging from measures covering the export and return of cultural objects, to rules on gambling premises, are still necessary or are actually examples of excessive red tape.
And the Ministers responsible for them will then have to justify each rule and, where the case for their existence cannot be justified, consign them to the scrapheap. The site will also allow the industry to flag up ways in which problems can be solved without intrusive Government regulations.
Shaun Dawson, Chief Executive of Lee Valley Park and Peter Hannibal, gambling and leisure industry consultant, have both agreed to become the champions for this theme, ensuring that it delivers real results quickly.
Tourism Minister John Penrose said:
“Cutting through red tape is an absolute priority for this government and central to our plans to encourage growth. The website being launched today is a really effective and simple way for those within the sport, gambling, heritage and lottery sectors to have their say on the rules and regulations they would like consigned to the scrapheap.
“I’ve no doubt our sector champions Shaun Dawson and Peter Hannibal will also be crucial in taking this work forward and I’m grateful to them for their help on this challenge. I would urge everyone with an interest in these varied industries to have their say.”
Notes to Editors
- The Red Tape Challenge was launched by the Prime Minister on 7 April 2011. It gives business and the public the chance to have their say on some of the more than 10,000 regulations that affect their everyday lives.
- The website is available at http://www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/home/index/
- Overall, of around 1500 regulations considered so far, we have agreed to scrap or improve well over 50 per cent - decisions that will bring real benefit to businesses, civil society organisations and individuals.
- The Challenge process does not include legislation or regulations falling within the responsibilities of the devolved administrations.
- For each sector theme, there are experienced ‘sector champions’ who will provide expert knowledge on the issues faced by those on the shop floor. The champions act as an intermediary between the sector and Government and help to direct the web-based debates and discussions.
- Biographical Note Shaun Dawson:
Shaun Dawson has been Chief Executive of the award winning Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (LVRPA) since 1997. Shaun is responsible for the strategic development and management of the 10,000 acre park, which includes four 2012 venues, serving the residents of London, Hertfordshire and Essex, providing a major sport and leisure destination for the South East and the UK, attracting nearly 5 million visitors every year.
Shaun has enjoyed success through a 25 year career in the leisure industry in both the public and private sector. He has fulfilled a number of non executive positions. Shaun was a governor on the board of Middlesex University from 1999 to 2004. In 2010 he was appointed Regional Champion for Community Sport for London, one of nine Ministerial Regional Champion appointments across England.
- Biographical Note Peter Hannibal:
For the last 3 years Peter has been delivering specialist expertise to the gambling industries in both the UK and Europe, ranging from business start-ups and turnarounds to software commoditisation and technology solutions. Prior to this time he was The Gala Coral Groups’ Electronic Gaming Director, which included strategic and development roles in their casino, betting, bingo and on-line businesses. Prior to joining Gala Coral, Peter spent 13 years in operational roles in the leisure industry and has theme parks, amusement complexes and holiday centres in his list of successes. Peter has attained a Master’s degree in business administration at Nottingham Trent University and also holds a Personal Management Licence that conforms to the UK Gambling Act 2005.
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