Press Release 10 October 2006

Campaigners urge politicians to make UK business fit for 21st century

Final chance for MPs to ensure UK companies do not profit at the expense of people and planet as Companies Bill enters last stage in Parliament  

The Trade Justice Movement and the Corporate Responsibility (CORE) Coalition – representing the UK’s leading human rights, environment and development groups, trade unions and faith groups – are calling on MPs to take a once in a lifetime opportunity to make UK business work for people and planet.   

With the final votes on the Companies Bill expected in Parliament next week, CORE and the Trade Justice Movement believe that the Bill - the largest shake up in UK company law in over a century – must be strengthened. In its current form, the Bill will not deliver on making UK companies international leaders in responsible and competitive business.

MPs are being urged to support proposed amendments to the Bill that would require companies to report on their environmental and social impacts, and for company directors to have a clearly defined duty to minimise the negative impacts of their business activities.

Glen Tarman, Coordinator of the Trade Justice Movement, said:

“Over 100,000 UK voters have already called on their parliamentary representatives to reform the Companies Bill and nine out of ten of the British public agree with them that there should be enforceable rules to ensure companies are socially responsible.  Now is the time for politicians of all parties to right corporate wrongs and put in place a legal framework that will limit the harm from business operations, especially for poor people and the environment, so that UK companies that trade around the world are more likely to be a force for good.”

Hannah Ellis, Coordinator of the Corporate Responsibility Coalition said:

“The Companies Bill offers the Government a unique opportunity to help UK business become an international leader in corporate accountability issues. Today, companies who exploit staff, emit dangerous levels of pollution or are complicit in violations of human rights far too often get away with it – the Government must take international leadership to make corporate irresponsibility history.”

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Media contacts: 
Hannah Ellis, The Corporate Responsibility (CORE) Coalition: 0202 566 1601 or 07952 876929
Sarah Jayne Clifton, Friends of the Earth: 0207 566 4080 or 07980599002
John Coventry, ActionAid UK: 0207 561 7633

Notes

1. A new media briefing on the Companies Bill, ‘Companies Bill: Making Corporate Irresponsibility History’, is available from the media contacts listed above. The briefing provides a detailed overview of the proposed amendments to the Companies Bill from the Corporate Responsibility (CORE) Coalition and the Trade Justice Movement, how they would work in practice and counters common objections raised by those opposed to measures that would tackle the negative social and environmental impacts of UK business. 

2. Key dates: Report Stage and Third Reading of The Companies Bill are expected to take place on the 16^th, 17^th and 18^th October 2006.

3. The Corporate Responsibility (CORE) Coalition (www.corporate-responsibility.org) is the UK’s most active voice on corporate accountability, supported by over 130 organisations, including campaigning organisations, faith-based groups, community organisations, academic institutions and trade unions.  The Trade Justice Movement (www.tjm.org.uk) is a coalition of over 80 UK organisations campaigning for fundamental changes to the unjust rules and institutions governing international trade, so that trade is made to work for the benefit of poor people and the environment. Member organisations that together have over 9 million individuals members include development and aid agencies, Fairtrade bodies and companies, environmental organisations, trade unions, student and faith groups. 

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