The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has launched a new consultation inviting businesses to help shape the future of the UK’s regulatory landscape. The call for evidence, Unlocking Business: Reform Driven by You, seeks views from businesses of all sizes on regulations that are no longer fit for purpose and that unnecessarily hold back growth, innovation and investment.

The government has set an ambitious target to reduce the administrative burden of regulation on business by 25%. While effective regulation remains essential to protect consumers, businesses and the wider public, DBT recognises that outdated or excessive rules can undermine these benefits and hinder economic progress.

UKFT is urging UK fashion and textile businesses to respond to the consultation to help influence reform. DBT is asking for evidence on:

• Current activity costs– examples of specific rules that impose unnecessary costs or burdens on businesses, including direct costs and indirect effects of how regulations are applied
• Opportunity costs– insights into how regulation may delay or prevent business opportunities, including comparisons with other countries

DBT is particularly interested in pinpointing where and how regulations create unnecessary barriers, so it can focus reform where it will have the greatest impact. Businesses are also encouraged to share examples of good regulatory practice that could be adopted more widely.

If you cannot identify a specific regulation, you can still describe the issue and its impact on your operations as clearly as possible.

The evidence gathered will inform the next phase of reform to ensure the UK’s regulatory system is modern, proportionate and supportive of business success, aiming to minimise burden without reducing important safeguards.

The call for evidence is open until 11:59pm on 16 December 2025.

FIND OUT MORE AND RESPOND HERE