The Forum for Private Business (FPB) has urged Europe-wide action to reduce bureaucracy.

According to the group, the EU should adopt a 25 per cent reduction target to alleviate the administrative burdens caused by 'red tape'.

The FPB's European spokesperson Martin Smith said initiatives planned for 2005 and 2006 are yet to be completed.

And while simplification plans showed "good intentions", the FPB maintained that they need to become a reality.

"In the work programme for 2007, the simplification initiatives were a little dubious: for example, counting the end of pre-accession partnership agreements with central and eastern European states as a simplification," Mr Smith added, claiming that this will not make businesses' life any easier.

However, the FPB spokesperson pointed out some signs of progress, citing a work programme for 2007, which he said was shorter than in previous years.

Established in 1977, the FPB represents 25,000 UK businesses and claims to have no political allegiance.