David Cameron rattled a few cages at the launch of the Conservatives' policy paper on corporate social responsibility, not least those of the leaders of business organisations. Announcing a voluntary series of 'responsibility deals' Cameron insisted the Tories could be "both pro-business . . . and also passionate about responsible business" (FT, 18 March). The proposals ranged from action over childhood obesity and teenage pregnancy to climate change with the first working party, under former Asda boss Archie Norman, concentrating on waste. Cameron described the current approach to waste as "bureaucratic and sluggish" (BBC, 17 March) and vowed to work with business on a voluntary basis rather than impose legislation.
David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, reacted swiftly saying: "Most companies already take on a vast amount of social responsibility and we get very worried when businesses are lambasted for not doing more" (Telegraph, 18 March). Richard Lambert, CBI Director General, insisted that it was the job of government to "regulate clearly and enforce the regulations strongly", adding that responsibility deals would "lack credibility" (Guardian, 17 March). Accountancy Age highlighted proposals that would mean executives could face pay or bonus penalties if companies failed to tackle social problems (17 March).