A new survey has shown the UK public’s attitude towards business has improved, but work still needs to be done.
According to the Institute for Business Ethics (IBE) annual survey tax avoidance and bribery and corruption remain among the most important ethical issues.
The survey, supported by the Fair Tax Foundation, found corporate tax avoidance is the most important issue.
For the last 20 years, the IBE has commissioned an annual survey of the British public’s attitudes toward business.
Minority believe businesses behave ethically
Overall, the survey shows that just 44 per cent of the public believes that businesses behave ethically, and although a minority, is still up four per cent from the same period last year.
Corporate tax avoidance, at 47 per cent, was followed by bribery and corruption at 27 per cent.
But environmental responsibility has improved with 24 per cent dissatisfied, compared with 29 per cent in 2021.
The survey concludes that businesses and UK politicians must do better at demonstrating their ethical credentials if they are to win back the confidence of the British public.
What can businesses do to improve?
Other key findings include:
Dr Ian Peters MBE, from the Institute of Business Ethics, commented: “The improvement in public perception of business culture is welcome but it is small. Business leaders must be more transparent in demonstrating and reporting how they are addressing the areas still troubling the public.”
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