Good Business Matters Decision Makers Pledge

As your MP, I am proud to have signed the Good Business Matters Decision Makers Pledge, because business should never be a license to harm people or the planet.

The current system is failing voluntary codes have repeatedly failed to stop human rights abuses, environmental harm, and unjust supply-chain practises.

The Decision Makers’ Pledge will help to put an end to this:

• Calls for binding due-diligence legislation, bolstered by enforceable accountability and access to justice for victims.

• Rewards businesses for environmental practise – or penalises them for damaging activities.

• Ensures people are protected from human rights abuses by requiring companies to carry out rigorous liability checks.

As Liberal Democrats, we believe that success must go hand in hand with fairness and environmental protection. That’s why we support the introduction of a robust ‘Business, Human Rights and Environment Act.’

Under this Act, companies would have a legal duty of care to the environment and human rights; reporting and preventing specified activities such as child labour, modern slavery, or products such as commodities produced with deforestation, in their operations. Crucially, this would create a level playing field for responsible businesses who are at risk of unscrupulous competitors who ignore the present voluntary commitments.

 With many important details within the Employment Rights Bill unanswered, and businesses continuing to be linked with serious human rights and environmental abuses, urgent action is needed.

By signing this pledge, I stand with responsible businesses, investors and cross-party MPs who are united in calling for genuine reform.