The new process will supersede the Regulatory Impact Assessment, which the Cabinet Office said contained weaknesses which had lead to inconsistency in its application. The new IA seeks to improve clarity and transparency in proposals for new regulations, and will be more easily available for public scrutiny through an online database.

Announcing the new process, Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said: “The new Impact Assessments will mean clearer guidelines for policy makers and an insistence that the Impact Assessment is conducted early in the development of regulation. This should help ensure that burdens are minimised.”

The revised assessment consists of five key areas:

* a revised template which aims to improve clarity and transparency, which includes a new requirement to summarise the rationale for government intervention and evidence supporting the final proposal

* an online database of all IAs

* a strengthened ministerial declaration to bolster quality and analysis in IAs, with improved arrangements within departments

* revised guidance for policy makers

* and an increased emphasis on post-implementation review

Guidance for the new IAs can be found at:
www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/regulation/ria/ia_guidance