Patricia Hewitt is trying to cut red tape for the retail sector by suggesting new moves. Hewitt proposes changes to Sunday trading legislation, funding to help tackle crime, and the formation of a group to unite the government with the retail industry.

Speaking at the British Retail Consortium's (BRC) annual dinner last night, Hewitt outlined a number of proposals.

These included scrapping the need for large stores to keep local authorities informed about Sunday trading hours; supporting the BRC's move to establish a common standard for proof of age schemes; and providing £15m to help 7,500 small retailers tackle crime.

The formation of a retail strategy group to help the industry and government work more closely to improve the productivity of the retail sector was also proposed. This group will be chaired by Tony DeNunzio, president and chief executive of Asda.

Hewitt said: 'We are developing a robust and effective partnership between the government and the retail sector to get the best out of each other. We are improving our approach to regulation. These measures illustrate our approach. Regulation can play a role, but it must be a tool of last resort.

'We will only regulate where necessary - when best practice and voluntary measures will not achieve the outcomes we're looking for. And where we do regulate, we will make sure it is with as light a touch as possible.' Speaking about Sunday trading legislation, Hewitt added: 'The Sunday trading measure in particular is a prime example of bureaucrats keeping bureaucrats in a job. Stores had to submit applications for a change in hours to local registers.

'There are 300 of these registers across the country - but no-one ever looks at them. Retailers told us they were a complete waste of time. We listened and acted.'