The organisation said changes to building regulations will would leave small businesses burdened with extra responsibilities when having building work carried out.

Changes to the Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) and the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) have been laid in Parliament for scrutiny by Lord McKenzie, Minister of State at the Department of Work and Pensions.

FPB campaigns manager Victoria Carson said: "We believe that the key cause for concern is that the current system of planning permission and building regulations can deliver safety, particularly in design, without passing undue burden onto the client. There is no need for the additional regulations.”

She added: "Through the process of seeking approval, businesses having building work carried out would be reassured and, in turn, risk would be considerably reduced and risk management of health and safety issues enhanced."

The FPB believes that the imposition of new duties on clients outside an existing reliable approvals system is another cause for concern.

The regulations could come into force in April this year and place an undue burden of responsibility on any small business carrying out building work.