Asked by: Baroness Goudie (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to convene a cross-department unit on business and human rights that consults with civil society and those with lived experience of business harms on a frequent basis.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Department for Business and Trade works closely with departments across government to prevent corporate human and labour rights abuses, and engages regularly with civil society on these matters. DBT operates the UK National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), which is governed by a Steering Board attended by representatives from FCDO, CMA, DESNZ, DWP, and external representatives from business, civil society and trade unions. In addition, DBT is working closely with the FCDO on a National Baseline Assessment on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. This will contribute to the evidence base to inform the UK’s approach to tackling business-related human rights abuses.
Asked by: Baroness Goudie (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to open a public consultation on introducing requirements on businesses and financial institutions to incentivise them to respect human rights, including those of indigenous peoples and human rights defenders.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to tackling environmental harms, modern slavery and human and labour rights abuses in both private and public sector supply chains and will take an evidence-based approach as we assess the best ways to achieve this. The Department for Business and Trade regularly engages with stakeholders in business, financial institutions and civil society on these issues, as do other Government departments, and we will consult thoroughly with interested stakeholders as we consider any further action.
Asked by: Baroness Goudie (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to introduce mandatory obligations on businesses and financial institutions to respect human rights and the environment in a similar way to the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government keeps under review best ways to prevent environmental harms, modern slavery and human and labour rights abuses in both private and public sector supply chains including effective due diligence rules.
Noting the EU’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the Government is committed to working with international partners and businesses, and has been in regular contact with the European Commission on this issue through the Trade Specialised Committee on Level Playing Field for Open and Fair Competition and Sustainable Development.