The government has announced a cap on voluntary sector regulation, promising that all new rules must be made on a “one in – one out” basis.

The commitment, which is effective from 1 September 2010, comes alongside a similar restriction on regulation of the private sector.

Government departments are to be provided with guidelines on how ministers can “proactively look to remove obstacles in the form of regulations”.

The government is also inviting the public to nominate regulations they would like to see scrapped.

Announcing the decision, business secretary Vince Cable (pictured) said: “We have to move quickly, delivering credible and meaningful reductions in the burdens that hinder hard-pressed businesses and charities.

“We have to create a common sense approach in the way we think about new laws.”

Acevo policy officer Nick Carey welcomed the news but added: “We need to ensure it is meaningful, and isn’t just a tinkering around the edges or substituting a large bit of regulation for a small one purely on the one in one our process.”