ShareAction has called on the UK government to use this year’s King’s Speech, an annual event where the UK monarch outlines law-making plans, to introduce legislation that would require companies and investors to report on their social-related impacts and risks. The responsible investment charity has said that the government should implement delayed Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR) and ensure it includes requirements on social issues like health alongside the environment. Fergus Moffatt, Head of UK Policy at ShareAction, said: “Companies contribute to many causes of poor health in this country, such as air pollution and unhealthy food. Ill health harms the wellbeing of communities, crates a drag on our economy and increases pressure on health services. Well-designed policy is key to unlock the potential of business and their investors to have a more positive impact and help shape fairer, healthier societies.” The SDR regime was withdrawn from the Queen’s Speech last year.
