§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the regulations which entail a cost to public funds and estimate the cost in each case. [28030]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost
The cost to 'public funds' (exchequer costs) is considered at the policy development stage of any new regulatory proposal, and a Regulatory Impact Assessment is completed unless there are no or negligible costs.
Where Ministers choose a regulatory option, they must be satisfied that the benefits justify the costs.