---

Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Bill [Lords]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The point was made earlier that, according to the Government’s own estimate, the cost to local government would not be recovered for at least four or five years, even if this measure is brought in. Every time we set up a regulator, he or she has to produce a piece of paper and someone at the other end of the system has to receive that piece of paper. My hon. Friend is right to say that, rather than reducing the regulatory burden, the Bill will increase it.