The trade association's franchised dealer division has written to Stephen Timms, the new minister for competitiveness, outlining the industry's concerns ahead of the government's re-launch of the Small Business Service as the Enterprise Directorate.

“The focus of the government's new small business strategy must be the reduction of the regulatory burden,” said Sue Robinson, director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association.

“The strategy should focus on making it easier for smaller companies to operate effectively because the level of red tape that businesses routinely face has become far too onerous and needs to be cut back.”