Hitchin MP Bim Afolami asks Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a question during PMQs

Hitchin Parliamentarian Bim Afolami MP spoke during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday (February 22) to question the Prime Minister over regulatory reform. 

Speaking in the House of Commons, Bim Afolami MP said: "I'd like to thank the Prime Minister for his support in the launch of the new Regulatory Reform Group. Would the Prime Minister commit to working with our group in two specific areas?

"The first – to improve the accountability and responsiveness of our regulators to both stakeholders and to Parliament. And secondly – to improve the economic potential in key growing areas of the economy, such as financial services, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing." 

Mr Afolami chairs the Regulatory Reform Group – a group of Parliamentarians reviewing regulatory reform and the role and accountability of regulators, with a view to building a regulatory framework which is pro-innovation, pro-investment and making the UK a more globally competitive economy. 

The Member of Parliament sought the Prime Minister's commitment to work with the group. 

The Prime Minister replied, saying: "My Honourable Friend makes an excellent point and he's right about the importance of getting our regulatory framework right to drive growth and prosperity.

"That's why my Right Honourable Friend the Chancellor has set out an extensive review of retained EU law in five key growth areas, including life sciences, green industries, and digital technology.

"But also the Government Chief Scientific Adviser is leading work to consider how the UK can better regulate emerging technologies, enabling their rapid and safe introduction."