The shadow minister for small business and enterprise has warned that the UK workplace is harbouring “a culture so averse to risk” that 15 new regulations are created “every working day” to remove risk from the business landscape.

Speaking to the Recruitment Society this week, Mark Prisk said government should not necessarily “start poking noses” in each and every issue that arises in the workplace, a practice he attributed to prevailing “something must be done” attitudes promoted by the tabloid press and news overload.

Instead, he said, business must lead the way toward resolving workplace issues by recognising and adopting best practices in controversial matters such as flexible working and child care.

“People lie at the heart of business,” Prisk said.

“We want to make a difference,” he added, referring to his fellow Conservatives. “But it won’t be easy to change the culture of the workplace.”

For more on the Recruitment Society event see the next issue of Recruiter.