BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has been enlisted to fight red tape that is costing a non-profit making organisation unnecessary time and money.

He has been approached by Bolton and District Hospital Saturday which runs a low cost contributory health benefit scheme costing from just £1 a week.

However, the organisation is now controlled by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) which classes it as an insurance company, subject to the same rules and regulations as the industry's giants.

Peter Green, chief executive of Bolton and District Hospital Saturday, said: "What is appropriate for a major commercial insurer may not be appropriate for a small mutual organisation like ourselves.

"Our low cost scheme should not be compared to private medical insurance and yet we must generally comply with the same regulatory requirements. He added: "The quantity of new rules and regulations and consultations is incredible.

"We are currently wading through consultative document number 41 from the FSA and have had to buy a new bookcase to accommodate all the information."

Mr Green went on: "We've had to write internal manuals and implement anti-money laundering procedures for a £1-a-week contributory scheme.

"A move by the FSA to insist on approving our unpaid directors prior to their appointment has cost us £1,500 in legal costs alone."

Just recently, Bolton and Bury Chamber declared war on "red tape" and now Mr Green has voiced his concerns via the British Chambers of Commerce's "Cut Red Tape" web site.

And he has sought help from Bury South MP Ivan Lewis who is currently pursuing the matter with his Parliamentary colleagues.

Meanwhile, any local business which is fighting against red tape can voice their concerns with the Government via Briony Simister, Bolton and Bury Chamber's policy adviser, on 01204 374618.