Better connected for business: implementation of the EU Services Directive in the UK in 2010

The new legal requirement to provide businesses with online access to information should reduce the red tape involved when dealing with government for new and existing businesses, whether based in the UK or across the rest of the European Union (EU).

As this report has on this occasion been funded by government, the report and supporting spreadsheets are available to all, free of charge, whether they subscribe to Socitm Insight or not. However, all those wanting to download any of the material below need to register as users on the Socitm website.

This is an excellent opportunity for all competent authorities to review the way in which they deal online with the business sector at a time of severe financial restraint.

Those that are positive about engaging online with local businesses and with new businesses thinking of coming to their area will surely stand to benefit from greater economic regeneration than those that stand by the wayside through ignorance, or even worse, incompetence.

How then have local authorities and other competent authorities risen to the challenge of the EU Services Directive?

This special report presents the results of a special survey commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) from Socitm Insight into the progress in implementing the EU Services Directive in the UK as set out in the Provision of Services Regulations 2009, that came into force at the end of December 2009.

The Regulations require that anybody wishing to set up a business to provide services should find information online about all the required formalities (licences, registrations etc) and be able to apply online, including completing and submitting their application, attaching supporting documentation and making their payment.

This survey covered all 433 local authorities across the UK, that are all defined as competent authorities for implementing the directive. A separate survey covered another 107 competent authorities, which have specific regulatory or supervisory functions (eg professional institutions and government agencies), which generally offer a narrower range of services than local authorities.

Last modified: 15th July 2010