Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Corporate Responsibility

Thursday 23 March 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government is proud of UK companies' record on corporate responsibility.
  • The UK is home to 10 of the world's top 100 companies ranked by social responsibility.
  • The UK is a signatory to the OECD's declaration on international investment and multinational enterprises.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Business & Trade
Context

The effectiveness of businesses' actions in corporate responsibility is being assessed.

Question

What recent assessment has her Department made on the effectiveness of businesses' actions regarding corporate responsibility?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

The Government are rightly proud of the record of UK companies when it comes to corporate responsibility. The UK is home to 10 of the world's top 100 companies, ranked by social responsibility. These standards are reflected in the UK being considered by business leaders to be the world's third most important country for investment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific assessment or data provided on effectiveness

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Q2 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Business Compliance Environment
Context

The Cerrejón coalmine in La Guajira, Colombia has caused widespread environmental damage and displacement of indigenous communities. The case highlights the need for stronger regulations to ensure businesses uphold human rights and do not commit environmental damage.

Question

What more can be done to ensure that businesses registered in the UK uphold human rights and do not commit environmental damage? Will the Minister look again at this case?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

The hon. Gentleman raises an important case. The UK is a signatory to the OECD's declaration on international investment and multinational enterprises, a voluntary set of standards intended to promote responsible business conduct worldwide. My Department is the UK's national contact point on these guidelines, allowing anyone who thinks there are problems to make a complaint, which will then be investigated.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific measures or timeline for action mentioned

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Standards & Ethics
Context

There is a need to update the House on recent discussions about the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill.

Question

Will my hon. Friend update the House on any recent discussions that he or his Department have had with the Home Office on the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill?

Answer from Kevin Hollinrake

I regularly meet Home Office colleagues, including this week to make sure this legislation is fit for purpose and will do what it says on the tin: tackle economic crime.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific updates or details provided about discussions

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