1. Consultation of stakeholders at national and European level: The United Kingdom's Experience Andy Harrison Assistant Director Better Regulation and Policy Team Small Business Service

2. The United Kingdom's Experience Why consult Early consultation Formal Consultation Consultation Fatigue How consultation can make a difference

3. Why consult? “I not only use the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow”. Woodrow Wilson, US President, 1913 - 1921

4. Small Firms Consultation Database Est. 2004 Enables Policy makers to conduct Small Firms Impact Test Over 2000 small business Used over 100 times by 23 Ministries and agencies Business benefits

5. Code of Practice on Consultation Applies to all UK public consultations by government Departments; Also applicable for consultations on EU directives Non-departmental public bodies and local authorities are encouraged to follow the code

6. Code of Practice on Consultation Devolved Administrations are free to adopt the code; Code has no legal force, but it is binding on UK departments and agencies; Exemptions: i. Ministerial Discretion; ii. Cannot prevail over statutory and mandatory external requirements e.g. under European Community Law.

7. The six consultation criteria 1.Consult widely throughout the process; 2. Be clear about what your proposals are; 3. Ensure that your consultation is clear, concise and widely accessible; 4. Give feedback; 5. Monitor; 6.Ensure your consultation follows better regulation best practice. Criteria must be reproduced within all consultation documents.

8. Consultation Fatigue Whitehall Industry Fora Vehicles Construction Food Chemicals

9. How consultation saved the Jammie Dodger

10. Thank you