United Kingdom

The UK 2013 NAP

UK Government and access to remedy for human rights abuses resulting from business activity

Action for government to promote access to remedy

(ii) task UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) teams in the markets where they operate to advise UK companies on establishing or participating in grievance mechanisms for those potentially affected by their activities and to collaborate with local authorities in situations where further State action is warranted to provide an effective remedy.

(iii) encourage companies to extend their domestic UK practice of providing effective grievance mechanisms to their overseas operations, adapting them where necessary according to local circumstances and consulting interested parties. This also applies to dispute arbitration/mediation mechanisms through their sector of activity or collective industry organisations.

Action for business to ensure access to remedy

The Government encourages companies to review their existing grievance procedures to ensure they are fair, transparent, understandable, well-publicised and accessible by all, and provide for grievances to be resolved effectively without fear of victimisation. It is also important for businesses to require similar good practice of their supply chains, especially in areas where abuses of rights have been identified.

The UK 2016 updated NAP

4. Access to remedy for human right abuses resulting from business activity [page 21]

Actions taken to promote access to remedy 

The Government has:

(i) tasked UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) teams in the markets where they operate to advise UK companies on establishing or participating in grievance mechanisms for those potentially affected by their activities and to collaborate with local authorities in situations where further State action is warranted to provide an effective remedy.

(ii) encouraged companies to extend their domestic UK practice of providing effective grievance mechanisms to their overseas operations, adapting them where necessary according to local circumstances and consulting interested parties. This also applies to dispute arbitration/mediation mechanisms through their sector of activity or collective industry organisations