Regulation and deregulation described, explained and analysed.
Regulation protects the weak and vulnerable. Regulation protects the environment. But regulation costs time and money. And it makes illegal that which would otherwise be legal. Regulation is therefore always controversial, and it can be very complex.
The United Kingdom has a well-deserved reputation for sensible regulation. It was an innovator in deregulation and economic regulation. But there have also been some dreadful regulatory failures - the financial crisis, Stafford Hospital, Grenfell Tower. And the burden of regulation remains heavy,. So is 'the regulatory state' now too powerful - or not powerful enough?
This website explores current regulatory issues and describes current best practice. Its author was formerly Chief Executive of the UK's Better Regulation Executive and then the Competition Commission - now part of the CMA.
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An Introduction to Regulation, and
An Introduction to Competition Policy
You might like to start by reading one or both of these guides.
They are anthologies of real-world comment and advice from experienced regulators and senior government officials.
An Introduction to Regulation is here. An Introduction to Competition Policy is here.
Then, or instead, please click on the titles or images below to access the main areas of this site. Or you might like to use this search function:-
Regulatory Disasters & Corporate Behaviour
The financial crisis, Grenfell Tower, Mid Staffs Hospital scandal ... This area of the website explores why regulators struggle to cope with the strange world of corporate behaviour. And why don't governments and regulators learn lessons from past disasters?
Effective Regulation, Independence and Accountability
How might regulators protect us better than in the past? Is prevention better than punishment? Plus ... accountability, independence, transparency,
The Regulatory Burden, Deregulation
Regulation costs time and money. And regulation makes illegal that which would otherwise be legal. We should hesitate before trying to control the behaviour of both businesses and individuals. But regulations are neither inherently bad nor inherently good. And getting rid of regulations - or not taking regulations seriously - for the sake of it is just as misconceived as putting in regulations for the sake of it.
This area of the website offers analysis and a detailed history of deregulation and 'better regulation' in the UK.
Risk
When is it appropriate to control the behaviour of individuals? Can health and safety regulation and consumer protection go too far?
Competition Policy & Utility Regulation
The privatisation of state-owned monopolies led to innovative utility regulation and price control in the United Kingdom. But the law and practice is complex. These web pages will help you understand them.
History, Resources & Contact
A short history of regulation
Click here to learn about interesting blogs, websites and further reading.
Here is an archive of material that is no longer current.
Further information about this website and contact details are here.
Spotted something wrong?
Please do drop me an email if you spot anything that is out-of-date, or any other errors, typos or faulty links.