It is our policy to comply with all laws governing political activity of the Company and its employees. Employees are not allowed to engage in lobbying activities on behalf of the Company unless they have complied with all requirements of law, regulation and internal policy regarding such activities. All lobbying activity is regulated and co-ordinated through our Government Relations departments.
It is our policy to comply with all laws governing political activity of the Company and its employees. Employees are not allowed to engage in lobbying activities on behalf of the Company unless they have complied with all requirements of law, regulation and internal policy regarding such activities. All lobbying activity is regulated and co-ordinated through our Government Relations departments.
A primary objective of our government relations activities is to ensure that politicians, various parliamentary groups and government organisations are equipped with the necessary facts about our business and our industry to make knowledgeable decisions. We consider it a key responsibility both for our Company and our employees as well as the wider defence sector to provide this information and respond promptly and comprehensively to queries from decision makers.
BAE Systems plays an important role both in the delivery and on-going support of military capability for the UK Armed Forces. We are also a key manufacturer and major employer in the UK, and therefore have a significant impact in our local communities both through the supply chain and our support of local activities. It is part of our responsibility to represent the case for sustaining and modernising key defence industrial capabilities, both to ensure the UK retains the capability to make and support those products which deliver the basis of national security and in recognition of the impact our facilities have on the economy and local communities.
To ensure we act in a responsible and coordinated manner, we have a joint lobbying model with our Trade Union members in the UK, who obviously have particular focus on sustaining skills and jobs. This model contains the following typical activities:
- Company briefings to trade union representatives on key issues
- Agreement on campaign strategy and tactics
- Contact with unions from supplier companies
- Production of trade union lobby booklet
- Letters to MPs
- Site visits for MPs and Ministers
- Lobby of Parliament.
Working for effective regulation
All aspects of our operations are subject to local, national and sometimes international regulation. We respect and obey the law in all countries in which we operate. During the development of new legislation we will aim to work with the relevant groups to ensure that they have the information they require of our industry and activities to make informed decisions. We also participate actively in a number of trade associations to ensure the wider industry view is presented on key issues.
One of many examples of this is our involvement with the Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) on agreeing carbon emission limits for the aerospace sector. Another example is the partnership we have with the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) along with our trade union safety representatives to develop and deliver high standards of safety practice. This partnership helps the HSE better understand our operations and facilitates the sharing of expertise while still respecting the role of the HSE as the regulatory authority.
Political influence and affiliation
Our Operational Framework states: "We do not make donations on behalf of the Company to political parties or their representatives. We respect the right of individual employees to make personal contributions".
In the US our eligible employees are allowed to participate in the BAE Systems USA Inc Political Action Committee (PAC). PACs exist legally as a means for employees of corporations to make donations to candidates for Federal office – something that corporations cannot do directly. PACs work by raising money from eligible people employed by a corporation or in a trade union. The PAC is governed by and complies with US laws under the auspices of the Federal Election Commission.
We participate openly with trade associations.
