Clegg and British businesses launch equal employment scheme

Employment Law & HR update 12/01/2012

Many of the UK's biggest companies have signed up to the Government's Business Compact, which aims to bring an end to the 'who you know, not what you know' culture and ensure that people from all walks of life have a fair chance of gaining jobs with the firms.

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, announced today that more than 100 companies - including RBS - are now part of what he called an unprecedented partnership between business and government. Mr Clegg, who was the main driver behind the initiative, said that it will spread opportunities throughout society and hopefully create a culture change within the companies involved.

"Working with the Coalition, the biggest hitters in British business are helping lead the way to a fairer, more open society," the Deputy Prime Minister said. "By opening their doors to young people from all walks of life, this marks the start of a culture shift among major employers, driven by the belief that ability and drive should trump connections and privilege."

Other companies that have signed up include Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, P&G, Allen and Overy, BP and Shell. The signatories currently employ more than two million people in the UK with a turnover of more than £500 billion.

Mr Clegg is today writing to 50 more companies asking them to sign up to the Compact.

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