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Community involvement: packed with potential
Corporate community involvement has long been under-rated as a tool for government relations. Not only can it stave off cumbersome intervention by regulators, but it can also help to deliver on current public policy objectives as well as provide potential policy solutions for the future.
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Education campaigns
A group of prominent business leaders gathered at the end of September to launch a national education trust, aimed at improving the quality school-leavers seeking employment. Meanwhile The National Literacy Trust, a new independent charity aiming to improve reading and writing standards in the UK, was launched on October 7, with support from WH Smith.
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Lobbying news round-up
(Aug/Sep)
The starting point for managing responsible lobbying issues must be transparency: set out clear principles, publish specific policies around direct political donations, 'soft' money and trade association activity.
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Government developments
Will the lastest government policy declarations on sustainable development affect CSR managers? First the government is making a big play about greening its own procurement. Therefore there is a business case for private companies to improve the impact of thier own products and services.
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Labour's fifth CSR
minister
Mr Wicks is Labour's fifth CSR minister in four years. However this time CSR comes under the same brief as energy, sustainability, fuel poverty and nulclear security rather than social enterprise and small business policy.
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News round-up (Apr/May)
In the run-up to the election, the government announces a raft of sustainability initiatives, suggesting there may be more to life (and the election) than just the economy.
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News round-up (Jun/Jul)
The UK government has unveiled detailed proposals on how legislation on smoke-free enclosed public places and workplaces would work. Meanwhile Elliot Morley has launched various measures designed to give communities a bigger role in tackling climate change, energy efficiency and recycling.
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News round-up (Apr/May)
Senior managers at Citigroup are pushing forward a drive to improve the company's ethics and integrity whilst the DTI on March 17 published a white paper for consultation, setting out its proposals for a Company Law Reform Bill.
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Corporate manslaughter
bill introduced
The corporate manslaughter bill has been a long time in consultation, though the unions remain disappointed it does not create a duty to promote health and safety. It does however make explicit the duty of directors to consider wider circumstances.
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Lobbying and transparency
Studies of lobbying confirm that pressure is mounting on companies that say one thing in CSR reports but do another behind closed doors.
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Pre-budget report- at a
glance guide
On Monday December 5, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown delivered the Pre-budget Report: Opportunity for all. Included within it were plans to increase social housing, involve the voluntary setor in public sector service delivery, and spending of unclaimed bank assets on youth service.
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