Templeman fires closing broadside

The departing head of the Institute of Directors has criticised the UK government over the “burdens” being imposed on industry, saying hardly anyone believed regulations were being reduced.

Miles Templeman, who has stood down as director general of the business group after seven years in the post, said the approach to employment regulation was a prime example where “no progress” had been made in reducing the regulation burden.

The coalition had some well-meant initiatives, said Templeman, but he added that the situation was “getting worse”, citing the Agency Workers Directive, which he said would cost business £2 billion, and next year’s auto-enrolment of pensions, costing, he claimed, £3bn.

“Government should be helping to create jobs, not hammering businesses with new rules,” he said.