Comic Relief bans arms, tobacco and alcohol firms from investment portfolio | Television & radio | theguardian.com

Comic Relief bans arms, tobacco and alcohol firms from investment portfolio | Television & radio | theguardian.com.

Comic relief came under heavy criticism following a BBC Panorama programme last year highlighting that some of its pension fund investments were incompatible with the charities aims.  Following an initially defensive reaction, the charity has conducted a review and made the decision to divest from tobacco, arms and alcohol.

Importantly, the charity has received legal advice that it is able to make this move.

Ethics concern emerges over pension fund reform | News | Local Government Chronicle

Ethics concern emerges over pension fund reform | News | Local Government Chronicle.

There are concerns that government proposals that funds invest more through pooled investments may limit the scope for excluding tobacco stocks.

This article also makes reference to funds engaging with companies, yet the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines make it clear that local government, including bodies and individuals acting on their behalf, should not engage with tobacco companies on the sort of issues outlined here.