Reducing Red Tape

Over-regulation is a real threat to the success of historic houses as attractions which are at the heart of their local economies. In areas ranging from licensing and holiday letting to temporary event structures and tourism signs, local regulation is often inconsistent, instrusive and costly. Too much red tape makes it more difficult for historic houses to play their full role in the life and economy of their communities and the nation.

The HHA welcomes the Tourism Regulation Task Force's report published in January 2012. The Red Tape Challenge is looking at over 21,000 statutory rules and regulations and the Tourism Task Force, on which the HHA has been represented, believes that many of these affect those in hospitality and tourism due to the cross-cutting nature of the industry. Due to the wide range of hospitality and tourism businesses – over 80% of which are micro or SMEs – the difficulties and costs of complying with regulations are seen as major barriers to the growth of these businesses

Smart Regulation and Economic Growth: Seizing the Tourism Opportunity calls for over 50 recommendations to be abolished, consolidated, revised or amended including:

Clearer guidance on maintaining the character of a listed building and a derogation for small enterprises to allow owners and managers to manage the risk flexibly, reasonably and proportionately;
Adjustment to the Use Classes Order and/or the General Permitted Development Order to allow tourism related development to benefit and a more liberal approach to alternative uses for heritage assets;
Revisions to the procedures for the UK visa regime to make it more competitive and Britain a more welcoming destination for tourists;
Amendment to civil partnership and marriages regulations so that they no longer preclude the use of a building or room with a religious connection;
Simplification of a whole suite of food and drink regulations;
Amendment and simplification of the Licensing Act including the introduction of a de minimis level for low alcohol sales under which a full licence is not required ;
Exemption to the Age Discrimination provisions of the Equality Act to allow accommodation providers to focus on particular age markets
Development of guidance specific to tourism businesses to help them comply with health and safety legislation and ensure regulators act consistently and proportionately.

The Task Group has also made a specific recommendation for a cross-cabinet committee to be established to co-ordinate government policies affecting the hospitality and tourism industry. This would address the problem of regulations that are introduced by one department conflicting with the regulations introduced by other departments which also have an interest in the industry.