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Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Thursday, 6 July 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 July 2023. It was answered by Nigel Huddleston (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 July 2023 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Companies: Human Rights

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to paragraph 193 of the Sixth Report of Session 2016–17 of the Joint Committee on Human Rights entitled Human Rights and Business 2017: Promoting responsibility and ensuring accountability, published on 5 April 2017, HC 443, if she will make it her policy to implement the Committee's recommendation on requiring UK companies to carry out human rights due diligence.

Answer

The Government supports and encourages a voluntary, business-led, approach to due diligence; as set out in international frameworks such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

The Department recently launched a review of non-financial information through a call for evidence. The review is part of the Government’s wider efforts to reduce burdens on business and drive economic growth, following our exit from the European Union. Whilst the Government continues to keep these issues under review, there are currently no plans to legally mandate companies to conduct further due diligence assessments before considering existing reporting requirements.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
192816
Session
2022-23
Related items
Subjects
Companies Human rights Joint Committee on Human Rights
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk