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.

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.