Kate’s early years drive influences big business
KATE’S early childhood campaign has been given a major boost by businesses who have found greater focus on the issue could generate £45billion a year for Britain.
The Princess of Wales, who has stepped back from royal duties during chemotherapy, has seen the landmark report by the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood.
She set up the group in March 2023 to galvanise action. Over the last year members including Aviva, the Cooperative Group, Deloitte, Iceland Foods, Ikea, the Lego Group, NatWest and Unilever have worked together to identify the role that business can play.
Their report sets out how a greater focus on early childhood would create a happier and more productive workforce and transform the health and wellbeing of the UK economy and society.
Grateful
It calls on companies to offer parents greater support, resources, choice and flexibility with their work.
The businesses will now speak to other leaders to encourage them to get board.
Christian Guy, of Kate and William’s Royal Foundation said: “I know, having briefed the Princess on this, that she is enormously grateful to the members of the taskforce who have made such fantastic progress on this work.
“She feels passionately about the transformational impact of getting this right together, both for the current generation and for many more to come.
“I know that she is keen to encourage all businesses, no matter what their size or purpose, to join us on this journey and is looking forward to seeing momentum grow in the coming months.”
Kensington Palace said early childhood continued to be a “huge priority” for Kate.