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'ASBO'/jail threat on UK business is 'astonishing'
A
The Forum of Private Business product story
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk editorial team
Jul 29, 2005
The integrity of small businesses is being undermined by the UK Environment Agency after it emerged it wants to impose anti-social behaviour orders and jail terms on firms.
A leading pressure group says the integrity of small businesses is being undermined by the UK Environment Agency after it emerged it wants to impose anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and jail terms on firms.
The Forum of Private Business (FPB) said it is shocked and dismayed the Environment Agency should take such an adversarial approach towards businesses when the emphasis should be on helping business comply with legislation.
The FPB's chief executive Nick Goulding said: "This is a serious development which the FPB views with real unease".
"The Environment Agency's chief executive Barbara Young asserts that 'a jail sentence _ acts as a more effective deterrent than a fine that represents little more than back pocket cash'".
"Moreover its press release tells us it is not all good news that the average fine on firms is down hundreds of pounds".
"This 'cavalier' attitude towards peoples' livelihoods is wrong and out of touch with this country's reputation for enterprise and fairness." Goulding said: "A civil action involving a fine or penalty is the right punishment for these type of offences".
"The antagonistic relish of the Environmental Agency's statement reflects a unreasonable desire to blacken the name of business".
"The FPB urges the Environment Agency to rethink its approach and do all in its power to support and help small businesses in the way they treat the environment." Goulding said he particularly objected to the use of ASBOs and the image they would give businesses".
""ASBOs are used to control yobs who terrorise our communities but to use them against business is completely over the top," he said".
""This insulting move betrays a lack of respect for, and understanding of, the immense contribution businesses make to Britain providing jobs and driving the economy".
"This is not how to nurture a culture of enterprise which this country relies so heavily upon." * About the FPB - The Forum of Private Business was formed in 1977 and is a pressure group fighting on behalf of private businesses.
The FPB represents approximately 25,000 UK-based businesses employing in excess of 600,000 people, and is a powerful lobbying voice in both the UK and the European Union.
The FPB, as the only full UK member of UEAPME - the organisation that represents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe - is the most prominent advocate of UK SMEs in Brussels and has a track record of positively affecting legislation prior to its introduction in the UK.
The FPB also provides a range of business services aimed at increasing member efficiency and profitability.
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