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Every Business Commits

At BITC's AGM and Leadership Summit on 2 December 2010, Prime Minister, David Cameron set out his view on what businesses can do to help build a big society.

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Rt Hon David Cameron, The Prime Minister speaking at the BITC AGM 2010 (31:16)

“As Business in the Community shows every day, Britain’s great businesses are not just a force for good in our economy – you are a force for good in our society too.  You have the power, the creativity, and the enterprise to help us tackle some of the most pressing social problems and challenges we face in our country.  By meeting our shared responsibilities, we can build that shared future: a stronger future and a better Britain”.

Rt Hon David Cameron, The Prime Minister, July 2010

Transcript of the speech and Q&A given by the Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron at BITC's AGM and Leadership Summit 2 December 2010[pdf]

Below are five priorities, with specific examples of steps that Government asks every one of Britain’s businesses to take.

Business in the Community has a number of recommendations for Government and for businesses, based on consultation carried out of our members companies.

Reduce carbon and protect the environment

  • Cut your energy by 10% a year
  • Take further steps to reduce your waste
  • Encourage greener travel such as car sharing and bike to work schemes

Support your community

  • Encourage volunteering and philanthropy, make your company’s time, skills and resources available to neighbourhood groups, local arts organisations and for social action
  • Make available and actively promote payroll giving to all employees
  • Help employees learn how to get involved in social action, for example by supporting them to take a Citizen University course

Improve skills and help create jobs

  • Increase the number of apprenticeships /work experience placements for unemployed people, especially unemployed young people
  • Ensure everyone in your organisation has basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills

Improve quality of life and well being

  • Make your workplace more family-friendly and offer flexible working wherever possible
  • Take further steps to improve the health and well-being of your workforce
  • Support diversity in the workplace

Support small and medium-sized enterprises

  • Pay suppliers on time
  • Mentor a business, start-up or social enterprise
  • Use small local firms wherever possible

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