The Government believes that business and respect for human rights go hand in hand and must be part of an active corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy. The Government has therefore drawn up a national action plan for business and human rights.

In June 2011, the UN Human Rights Council adopted the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

The national action plan aims to translate the UN Guiding Principles into practical action at national level. The plan responds to the European Commission’s request that Member States draw up national action plans.

So far, the UK, the Netherlands, Denmark, Finland and Lithuania have developed national action plans.