How many businesses have used the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit since it was established.

Since its inception in November 1998, the Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit has had contact with around 160 businesses. Through a series of seminars, correspondence and also its "hotline" and e-mail box, the unit has received over 170 enquiries and complaints to date. Of these, 67 related to reserved matters, 40 to devolved matters and 65 did not refer to specific policy areas but rather to regulatory mechanisms and principles for attention at both Holyrood and Westminster. The comments made to the unit seldom refer to any individual regulation, however the areas which give rise to the greatest number of concerns are; that the development of policy should involve more consideration of the impact on business, difficulties with employment regulations and trading standards and their application. Consequently the IRIS Unit has concentrated its efforts on improving regulations and their enforcement by encouraging greater use of the Regulatory Impact Assessment process by policy makers and promoting adoption and application of the Enforcement Concordat by regulators.The Unit has publicised its activities and service at conferences, seminars and meetings. A publicity "flyer" has been given a wide distribution and the Unit also has a website accessible through the Executive website, (www.scotland.gov.uk/who/elld/iris.asp). The IRIS Unit was also featured in the publication The Way Forward: A Framework for Economic Development in Scotland published in June 2000. The unit also continues its dialogue with a wide number of business representative organisations, such as the Federation of Small Businesses. The effectiveness of policies and efforts in this area will be felt by business in changes to the regulatory culture and the unit will continue to work to this end.