Assurance

 

This report has been assured against the AA1000 Assurance Standard and prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines 2002, with reference to the GRI Pilot Telecommunications Sector Supplement.

 

The AA1000 Assurance Standard stipulates that three specific principles must be met:

• Materiality: the report must include all the information about our sustainability performance that readers need to make informed judgements, decisions and actions.
• Completeness: the report must include all material aspects.
• Responsiveness: the report must demonstrate that BT has responded to stakeholder concerns, policies and relevant standards and adequately communicated these.

 

Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Limited (LRQA) is contracted by BT to assure this report against AA1000 AS. LRQA’s statement explains the assurance process and provides their conclusions.

 

The work of LRQA is complemented by the role of BT’s Internal Audit department, which undertakes substantial work to validate data and information. LRQA relies on the work of BT Internal Audit in forming its conclusions.

 

Our Leadership Panel of external experts advises on our CSR strategy and performance. Part of their role is to ensure that difficult or uncomfortable issues are not neglected. The Panel’s statement contains their view of this report and our performance.

 

The information in the social and environmental report – and its presentation – is the responsibility of BT.