Sharon Keogan (Independent)

On the nominal costs and disproportionate burden, why is the shift necessary? Is the nominal cost standard already proportionate since it considers the size and the resources of the business? Has the impact on SMEs been considered? The disproportionate burden standard requires significantly more documentation. Are the representatives aware that the EU data shows compliance costs are ten times higher per employee for SMEs than for larger corporations? Have the SMEs been consulted? Many of our constituents or service users are either employed by or operate SMEs. Has there been engagement with them to understand how this change might affect their livelihoods? Do the witnesses support exemptions for microenterprise? If not, why should a three-person bakery, for example, or a small business, be held to the same documentation standard as a multinational? That is all on the disproportionate burden for the SME sector.