Addressing business leaders, trade associations and key supporters, the Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed her commitment to the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation through the Employment Rights Bill – and its clear mission to boost growth and living standards across the UK.  

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: "My driving force is to fight to support working people out of insecurity, restore respect at work and help make sure hard-working people are better off.

“This is a mission also championed by the Good Business Charter and the many businesses signed up to its brilliant cause, who know people are their greatest asset and that upgrading workers’ rights is an upgrade for growth and business.

"Our landmark Employment Rights Bill is central to our Plan for Change and will give over 10 million people around the country stronger protections to make work pay and build an economy fit for the future.”

The Good Business Charter was launched in February 2020 in collaboration with the CBI and the TUC, whose building provided a fitting setting for the audience of businesses serious about caring for their workforce, paying their fair share of tax and behaving responsibly towards their suppliers, people in their supply chain, customers and the environment. 

Make UK becomes the latest trade association to accredit and encourage its members to follow suit.  COO, Ben Fletcher, said: “The Good Business Charter has made a valuable contribution to how businesses operate – giving a clear pathway for companies of all sizes to integrate good practice at the heart of their strategic thinking and operating models.   

“Showing colleagues, customers and stakeholders that they are valued is not only important but delivers tangible benefits for those businesses that have embedded responsible behaviour and cultural equality in their day-to-day activities.”

GBC founder, retailer and philanthropist, Julian Richer, who spoke at the celebration, reiterated his passionate conviction that adherence to the Good Business Charter should be the established norm in the UK with 97% of consumers believing businesses should behave responsibly.

The GBC is spearheading Good Business Fortnight, a national campaign finishing tomorrow which encourages everyone to celebrate good business and explain why it matters. The campaign is supported by over 1,000 organisations including Aviva, Brompton Bicycle, Legal & General, TSB and the City of York.

Rain Newton-Smith, CEO, CBI said: “Congratulations to the Good Business Charter on reaching its five year anniversary. Our GBC accreditation is incredibly important to us. The external recognition that we are doing the right thing when it comes to building an inclusive culture for our colleagues and running our organisation in line with our values offers reassurance to both our staff and our members. I would encourage more businesses to aspire to the high bar the GBC sets for responsible business behaviour.”

Paul Nowak, Secretary-General of the TUC said: “Good quality work is the foundation of a healthy and prosperous economy. But in the UK, too many are stuck in low-paid insecure work.  That’s why the Good Business Charter reaching five years is a significant milestone. By signing up to the charter, firms are promising to pay workers a real living wage, offer fair hours and listen to worker representatives and unions.

"As the government’s landmark Employment Rights Bill delivers more secure jobs up and down the country, the Good Business Charter will go from strength to strength as decent employers show that high standards are good for business and good for workers.  We're looking forward to celebrating another five years of the Charter."

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