Task Force on 'Cutting Red Tape'

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbots, President of NCVO, is chairing a Government Task Force on 'Cutting Red Tape', run jointly by the Office for Civil Society and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

The Task Force is part of Government's plans to make it easier to set up and run charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises. As part of its remit, it is looking at reducing a range of administrative and regulatory burdens affecting the day to day work of organisations. Further information is available in the Cabinet Office press release about the Task Force.

Following its first meeting in September, the Task Force has identified the following as priorities for action:

• Vetting and Barring
• Commissioning
• Funding
• Gift Aid
• VAT

Do you have any suggestions on how to reduce regulation around any of these issues? For example, how can the vetting and barring scheme be remodeled to 'proportionate, common sense levels'? Do we need standardised tools for tendering processes? Do you have specific proposals to simplify the Gift Aid system and increase its take up?

Tell us what you think by joining our online discussion on how to cut red tape

Resources

'The Impact of Regulation on Voluntary Organisations' (December 2004) - this report examines how regulatory processes impact on voluntary and community organisations, analysing costs and benefits, and considers a possible model of regulation for the the sector.

'Accountability and Transparency' (June 2004) - this report considers the need to enhance public trust and confidence in the voluntary and community sector, and examines the extent to which voluntary and community organisations are already accountable