On the go: A coalition of 46 campaigning organisations has spoken out against anti-boycott legislation due in the next Queen’s Speech, which includes a ban on pension funds from pursuing politically motivating boycotts and divestments.
In February, MPs backed an amendment to the public service pensions and judicial offices bill in a bid to reverse a legal defeat suffered by the government in 2020, when the Supreme Court lifted a ban on political investments.
The court’s verdict allowed for Local Government Pension Schemes to divest for a number of reasons.
But Conservative MP Robert Jenrick has regularly criticised moves to pressure LGPS funds to boycott Israel.
For example, earlier this year the £10bn Merseyside Pension Fund considered its investments in companies active in occupied Palestinian territories.
The fund is invested in nine companies listed by the UN as having a presence in the regions, which are recognised by the UK government as currently being illegally occupied by Israel. Some companies active in the regions have been accused of facilitating their development.
His amendment was backed by the government and MPs voted by a majority of 218 in its favour.
On April 26, campaigners including Unite the Union, Campaign Against Arms Trade, and the Free Speech on Israel issued a joint statement opposing the plan.
The signatories believe that an anti-boycott law would “present an existential threat to freedom of expression, and the ability of public bodies and democratic institutions to spend, invest and trade ethically in line with international law and human rights”.
“We advocate for the right of public bodies to decide not to purchase or procure from, or invest in companies involved in human rights abuse, abuse of workers’ rights, destruction of our planet, or any other harmful or illegal acts,” the group said.
“We therefore oppose the government’s proposed law to stop public bodies from taking such actions.”
The government has been contacted for comment.
