Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of increases in administrative regulatory burden arising from recent Civil Aviation Authority policy and guidance changes, and how these increases are compatible with the Government’s stated commitment in the Regulation Action Plan to a 25% reduction in such burdens.

The government is committed to reducing the administrative burden of regulation by 25% by the end of the Parliament. This commitment is a net reduction across all departments and regulators, including the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We remain prepared to introduce new regulation where this is proportionate and will better enable the sector to grow safely, securely and fairly.

The CAA carefully considers the impact of its regulatory activity on the aviation industry and they are committed to ensuring they fulfil their duties in an efficient way which minimises the regulatory burden on industry, without compromising their statutory duties. All Departments must report annually on the impact of their work on reducing the administrative burden, and CAA initiatives are incorporated into the Department for Transport’s Annual Simplification Plan.