European Union rules, particularly those applying to small companies, must be reduced, or abolished, some of Britain's most influential business leaders will today tell UK prime minister David Cameron.

EU legislation strengthening the rights of women during and after pregnancy "should be withdrawn" while mandatory rules governing the posting of sub-contracted workers between EU states should not be introduced, says the group which includes Marc Bolland, Marks and Spencer's chief executive, and Paul Walsh, former chief executive of Diageo.

New employment laws should be rare, while small businesses should be automatically exempted, unless a good reason exists. Meanwhile, one-man gardening firms, carpenters and other small contractors should not face registration fees for transporting non-toxic waste. Small businesses in non-risky occupations should not have to keep written health and safety risk assessments – a change which would save €2.7 billion a year.