2022 Communication on Progress

Pearson plc.

Published date

June 21, 2022

No. of questions

64

CEO Statement

Signed
  • Governance

    Policies and Responsibilities

    1. Does the Board / highest governance body or most senior executive of the company:

    Optional comment
    Please see p7 of Pearson's Annual Report 2021: https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/pearson/annual-report-2021/pdf/pearson-annual-report-2021.pdf#page=1

    2. Does the company have a publicly stated commitment regarding the following sustainability topics?

    No, this is not a current priority

    No, but we plan to have a commitment within 2 years

    Yes, and the commitment is focused on our own operations

    Yes, and the commitment includes our own operations and the value chain

    Yes, and the commitment includes our own operations and the value chain along with communities and society

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/purpose

    3. Does the company have in place a code of conduct regarding each of the following sustainability topics?

    No, this is not a current priority

    No, but we plan to have a code of conduct within two years

    Yes, focused on employee conduct

    Yes, focused on employees and suppliers

    Yes, focused on employees, suppliers, and other business relationships

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/corporate-policies

    4. Has the company appointed an individual or group responsible for each of the following sustainability topics?

    No one is specifically responsible for this topic

    Yes, with limited influence on outcomes (e.g., limited access to internal information, limited decision-making authority)

    Yes, with moderate influence on outcomes (e.g., has access to relevant information, reports to senior manager)

    Yes, with direct influence of some outcomes (e.g., has access to relevant information, includes one or more senior manager with decision making rights

    Yes, with direct influence at the highest levels of the organization (e.g., has access to relevant information, includes most senior members of organization)

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Please see Pp. 98-100 of Pearson's Annual Report 2021: https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/pearson/annual-report-2021/pdf/pearson-annual-report-2021.pdf#page=1

    5. Does the company have a formal structure(s) (such as a cross-functional committee) to address each of the following sustainability topics?

    No formal structure

    Yes, and with limited influence on outcomes (e.g., limited access to internal information necessary to understand risks, poor representation from relevant departments or functions)

    Yes, with moderate influence on outcomes (e.g., it includes representatives of some functions, departments, or business units most relevant for addressing the risks concerned, has access to relevant information, reports to senior manager)

    Yes, with direct influence on some outcomes (e.g., it includes representatives of functions, departments, or business units most relevant for addressing the risks concerned, has access to relevant information, it involves one or more members of senior management)

    Yes, and with direct influence at the highest level of the organization (e.g., full access to relevant information, it involves members at highest level of organization)

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Please see p.43 of Pearson's Annual Report 2021: https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/pearson/annual-report-2021/pdf/pearson-annual-report-2021.pdf#page=1

    Prevention

    6. Does the company have a process or processes to assess risk?

    No, this is not a current priority

    No, but we are planning to develop one in the next two years

    Yes, related to our own operations

    Yes, related to our own operations and entire value chain and other business relationships

    Human rights risks

    Labour rights risks

    Environmental risks

    Corruption risks

    Optional comment
    Please see Pp 60-69 of Pearson's Annual Report 2021: https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/pearson/annual-report-2021/pdf/pearson-annual-report-2021.pdf#page=1

    6.1. During the assessment of risk, which business relationships are reviewed?

    A few suppliers or business relationships [approximately less than 25 %]

    Several suppliers / business relationships (i.e., first tier or other high priority) [approx. 25 - 50 %]

    Most suppliers / relevant business relationships [approx. 51 - 99 %]

    All suppliers / relevant business relationships outside the supply chain

    Human rights risks

    Labour rights risks

    Environmental risks

    Corruption risks

    7. Does the company have a due diligence process through which it identifies, prevents, mitigates, and accounts for actual and potential negative impacts on sustainability topics?

    No, this is not a current priority

    No, but we are planning to develop one in the next two years

    Yes, related to our own operations

    Yes, related to our own operations and entire value chain and other business relationships

    Human rights risks

    Labour rights risks

    Environmental risks

    Corruption risks

    Optional comment
    Pearson has several due diligence processes

    7.1. During the due diligence process, which business relationships are reviewed?

    A few suppliers or business relationships [approximately less than 25 %]

    Several suppliers / business relationships (i.e., first tier or other high priority) [approx. 25 - 50 %]

    Most suppliers / relevant business relationships [approx. 51 - 99 %]

    All suppliers / relevant business relationships outside the supply chain

    Human rights risks

    Labour rights risks

    Environmental risks

    Corruption risks

    Concerns and grievance mechanisms

    8. Are there any processes through which members of the company’s workforce can raise concerns about the company’s conduct related to human rights, labour rights, environment, or anti-corruption?

    Optional comment
    Please see Raising Concerns on our website: https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/corporate-policies

    8.1. Please provide additional detail regarding the process(es) the company has through which members of the company’s workforce can raise concerns about the company’s conduct.

    No

    Yes

    Is the process communicated to all employees/workers in local languages?

    Is the process available to non-employees (e.g., contractors, vendors, suppliers)?

    Is the process confidential (e.g., whistleblowing process)?

    Are there processes in place to avoid retaliation?

    Can concerns be raised about suppliers or other business relationships (e.g., clients, partners, etc.)

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Optional comment
    Please see our relevant policies including Raising Concerns: https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/corporate-policies

    9. Does the company provide or enable access to effective remedy to right holders / stakeholders where it has caused or contributed to the adverse impact?

    No process to enable remedy to stakeholders

    Remedy available to some stakeholders (i.e., some geographies, employees only)

    Remedy is available to all affected stakeholders

    Remedy is available to all stakeholders, and suppliers are expected to have similar policies

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Lessons

    10. How does the company capture lessons regarding each of the following sustainability topics?

    No lessons are regularly captured

    Conducts root cause analyses/investigation of major incidents

    Conducts root cause analyses/investigation and changes organizational policies, processes, and practices accordingly

    Systematically conducts root cause analyses/investigation and leverages learnings to influence both internal and external affairs

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Executive Pay

    11. Is executive pay linked to performance on one or more of the following sustainability topics?

    No, and we have no intention to change

    No, but we plan to within two years

    Yes

    Human Rights

    Labour Rights / Decent Work

    Environment

    Anti-Corruption

    Optional comment
    Executive remuneration is linked to establishing Pearson as purpose-driven across product, people, and the planet. Please see page 117 of Pearson's Annual Report 2021: https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/pearson/annual-report-2021/pdf/pearson-annual-report-2021.pdf#page=1 The targets for 2022 are as follows

    Board Composition

    12. Percentage of individuals within the company’s Board / highest governance body by:

    Number/Percentage

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Total number of board members (#)

    10

    Male (%)

    50

    Female (%)

    50

    Non-binary (%)

    0

    Under 30 years old (%)

    0

    30-50 years old (%)

    Above 50 years old (%)

    100

    From minority or vulnerable groups (%)

    30

    Executive (%)

    20

    Independent (%)

    80
    Optional comment
    https://plc.pearson.com/en-GB/company/governance/the-board

    13. Do you produce sustainability reporting according to:

    Data Assurance

    14. Is the information disclosed in this questionnaire assured by a third-party?

    Please see external audit report of our Environmental performance here:
    Please see external verification report for our Environmental performance here:
  • Human Rights

    Materiality / Saliency

    1. Which of the following has the company identified as material human rights issues connected with its operations and/or value chain, whether based on their salience (i.e., the most severe potential negative impacts on people) or another basis?

    Commitment

    2. Does the company have a policy commitment in relation to the following human rights issues?

    No, and we have no plans to develop a policy

    No, but we plan to in the next two years

    Yes, included within a broader policy

    Yes, articulated as a stand-alone policy

    Rights of women and/or girls

    Freedom of expression

    Rights of refugees and migrants

    Digital security / privacy

    2021

    Rights of indigenous peoples

    Access to culture

    Free, prior and informed consent

    Access to water and sanitation

    2.1. For each human rights policy, is it:

    Aligned with international human rights standards?

    Publicly available?

    Approved at most senior level of the company?

    Applied to the company’s own operations?

    Applied to the company’s supply chain and/or other business relationships?

    Developed involving human rights expertise from inside and outside the company?

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of expression

    Digital security / privacy

    Rights of women and/or girls

    Access to culture

    Rights of indigenous peoples

    Free, prior and informed consent

    Rights of refugees and migrants

    Access to water and sanitation

    Prevention

    3. In the course of the reporting period, has the company engaged with affected stakeholders or their legitimate representatives in relation to the following human rights issues?

    No engagement on this topic

    To better understand the risks/ impacts in question

    To discuss potential ways to prevent or mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To agree on a way to prevent/ mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To assess progress in preventing /mitigating the risks/impacts in question

    To collaborate in the prevention/ mitigation of the risks/ impacts in question

    Rights of women and/or girls

    Freedom of expression

    Rights of refugees and migrants

    Digital security / privacy

    Rights of indigenous peoples

    Access to culture

    Free, prior and informed consent

    Access to water and sanitation

    4. What type of action has the company taken in the reporting period with the aim of preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with this human rights issue?

    Provided internal training/ capacity building for the direct workforce

    Building capacity among relevant business relationships (e.g., partners, suppliers, clients, etc.)

    Conducting an audit process and/or corrective action plan

    Collective Action with peers or other stakeholders to address the issue

    Collaboration with governmental or regulatory bodies

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    No action within reporting period

    Rights of women and/or girls

    Freedom of expression

    Rights of refugees and migrants

    Digital security / privacy

    Rights of indigenous peoples

    Access to culture

    Free, prior and informed consent

    Access to water and sanitation

    5. Who receives training for the following human rights issues?

    No training provided

    Select employees

    All employees

    Contractors

    Direct suppliers of the organization

    Indirect suppliers of the organization

    Other – such as partners, clients, etc.

    Rights of women and/or girls

    Freedom of expression

    Rights of refugees and migrants

    Digital security / privacy

    Rights of indigenous peoples

    Access to culture

    Free, prior and informed consent

    Access to water and sanitation

    6. How does the company assess progress in preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with the following human rights issues?

    No monitoring of progress

    Review issues on ad-hoc basis

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal programs only)

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal and external programs)

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Rights of women and/or girls

    Freedom of expression

    Rights of refugees and migrants

    Digital security / privacy

    Rights of indigenous peoples

    Access to culture

    Free, prior and informed consent

    Access to water and sanitation

    Response

    7. During the reporting period, has the company been involved in providing or enabling remedy where it has caused or contributed to adverse impact associated with the following human rights issue(s)?

    Yes

    No

    Choose to not disclose

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Rights of women and/or girls

    Freedom of expression

    Rights of refugees and migrants

    Digital security / privacy

    Rights of indigenous peoples

    Access to culture

    Free, prior and informed consent

    Access to water and sanitation

    8. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the human rights principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.

    The governance and protection of our customers’ information is of critical importance to us and, as part of our ongoing digital transformation, Pearson has continued to invest in both its talent and capabilities to enhance its cyber security and data privacy practices. Pearson has established data security and privacy principles which form the foundation of our privacy and cyber security policies, and are used to design privacy and security into our products and platforms. Learning is one of our most important principles, with our people participating in mandatory data privacy and cyber security training that is tailored to their job roles. These principles are being embedded throughout the organisation. An independent assessment of Pearson’s cyber security maturity, based on the latest international standards, is performed annually to check progress.
  • Labour

    Commitment

    1. Does the company have a policy commitment in relation to the following labour rights principles?

    No, and we have no plans to develop a policy

    No, but we plan to in the next two years

    Yes, included within a broader policy

    Yes, articulated as a stand-alone policy

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    2021

    Forced labour

    2021

    Child labour

    2021

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    2021

    Occupational safety and health

    2021

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    2021

    1.1. For each labour rights policy, is it:

    Aligned with international labour standards?

    Publicly available?

    Approved at most senior level of the company?

    Applied to the company’s own operations?

    Applied to the company’s supply chain and/or other business relationships?

    Developed involving labour rights expertise from inside and outside the company?

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    Prevention

    2. In the course of the reporting period, has the company engaged with affected stakeholders or their legitimate representatives in relation to the following labour rights issues?

    No engagement on this topic

    To better understand the risks/ impacts in question

    To discuss potential ways to prevent or mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To agree on a way to prevent/ mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To assess progress in preventing/ mitigating the risks /impacts in question

    To collaborate in the prevention/ mitigation of the risks/ impacts in question

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Not a salient issue for Pearson, no engagement needed in the reporting period

    Forced labour

    Not a salient issue for Pearson, no engagement needed in the reporting period

    Child labour

    Not a salient issue for Pearson, no engagement needed in the reporting period

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    3. What type of action has the company taken in the reporting period with the aim of preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with this labour rights issue?

    Provided internal training/ capacity building for the direct workforce

    Building capacity among relevant business relationships (e.g., partners, suppliers, clients, etc.)

    Conducting an audit process and/or corrective action plan

    Collective Action with peers or other stakeholders, in particular workers' organizations, to address the issue

    Collaboration with governmental or regulatory bodies

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    No action within reporting period

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Pearson has a well developed Diversity, Equity

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    4. Who receives training for the following labour rights issues?

    No training provided

    Select employees

    All employees

    Contractors

    Direct suppliers of the organization

    Indirect suppliers of the organization

    Other – such as partners, clients, etc.

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    Optional comment
    All employees receive annual training on Pearson's Code of Conduct and associated policies

    5. How does the company assess progress in preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with the following labour rights issues?

    No monitoring of progress

    Review issues on ad-hoc basis

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal programs only)

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal and external programs)

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    Performance

    6. What is the percentage of employees covered under collective bargaining agreements?

    Percent of employees (%)

    Unknown

    Employees covered under collective bargaining (%)

    Optional comment
    We do not track this metric

    7. What is the percentage of employees in a trade union or other workers' organization?

    Percent of employees (%)

    Unknown

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Employees in a trade union or on a worker committee (%)

    Optional comment
    We do not track this metric

    8. In the course of the reporting period, what was the percentage of women in:

    Percent of women (%)

    Unknown

    Senior leadership level position

    25

    Non-executive board

    20

    9. What was the average ratio of the basic salary and remuneration of women to men (comparing jobs of equal value) during the reporting period?

    Salary ratio (%)

    Unknown

    Choose to not disclose

    Women / Men (%)

    Disclosure of gender pay gap figures include UK operations only

    10. In the course of the reporting period, how frequently were workers injured (injuries per hour worked)?

    Frequency of injury

    Unknown

    Choose to not disclose

    Frequency of injury

    We disclose the total number of injuries (41) and total incident rate per 100 employees (0.55) in addition to other H&S metrics in our ESG Data Table on page 235 of the Pearson's Annual Report 2021: https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/pearson/annual-report-2021/pdf/pearson-annual-report-2021.pdf#page=1

    11. In the course of the reporting period, what was the company’s incident rate?

    Incident rate

    Unknown

    Choose to not disclose

    Incident rate

    0.55

    Response and Reporting

    12. In the course of the reporting period, has the company been involved in providing or enabling remedy where it has caused or contributed to the adverse impact associated with the following labour rights issues?

    Yes

    No

    Choose to not disclose

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

    Forced labour

    Child labour

    Non-discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

    Occupational safety and health

    Working conditions (wages, working hours)

    13. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the labour rights principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.

    2021 Progress on key initiatives include: — Focussed on employee engagement during business transformation. — Identified the career aspirations and skills needed to drive the ongoing transformation of the company for 100% of our SVPs, VPs and Directors in alignment with the Pearson Capabilities Framework (identifying skills gaps to close is part of our talent review). — Launched DE&I Strategy and associated governance council For more information, please see the People pages (48-50) in Pearson's Annual Report 2021: https://plc.pearson.com/sites/pearson-corp/files/pearson/annual-report-2021/pdf/pearson-annual-report-2021.pdf#page=1
  • Environment

    Commitment

    1. Does the company have a formal policy on the following environmental topics?

    No, and we have no plans to develop a policy

    No, but we plan to in the next two years

    Yes, included within a broader policy

    Yes, articulated as a stand-alone policy

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    2022

    Water

    2022

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    2022

    Air Pollution

    2022

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    2022

    Energy & Resource Use

    2022
    Optional comment
    Our environmental policy is updated every year.

    1.1. For each environmental policy, is it:

    Aligned with international environmental standards?

    Publicly available?

    Approved at most senior level of the company?

    Applied to the company’s own operations?

    Applied to the company’s supply chain and/or other business relationships?

    Developed involving environmental expertise from inside and outside the company?

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    Prevention

    2. In the course of the reporting period, has the company engaged with affected stakeholders or their legitimate representatives in relation to the following environmental issues?

    No engagement on this topic

    To better understand the risks/ impacts in question

    To discuss potential ways to prevent or mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To agree on a way to prevent/ mitigate the risks/ impacts in question

    To assess progress in preventing/ mitigating the risks/ impacts in question

    To collaborate in the prevention/ mitigation of the risks/ impacts in question

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    3. What type of action has the company taken in the reporting period with the aim of preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with these environmental topics?

    Provided internal training/ capacity building for the direct workforce

    Building capacity among relevant business relationships (e.g., partners, suppliers, clients, etc.)

    Conducting an audit process and/or corrective action plan

    Collective Action with peers or other stakeholders to address the issue

    Collaboration with governmental or regulatory bodies

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    No action within reporting period

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    4. How does the company assess progress in preventing/mitigating the risks/impacts associated with the following environmental topics?

    No monitoring of progress

    Review issues on ad-hoc basis

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal programs only)

    Set annual targets/ goals, track progress over time (internal and external programs)

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    4.1. For each environmental topic in which the company sets timebound goals / targets, what kind of targets has the company set?

    Description of targets (e.g., what is the target, absolute vs. intensity, externally verified, on track, etc.)

    Climate Action

    Achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030

    Energy & Resource Use

    Reduce Scope 2 Emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2018 baseline

    Water

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    We want to increase the share of paper coming from responsible sources (FSC, PEFC, SFI)

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Oceans

    4.2. For each environmental topic in which the company sets timebound goals / targets, how is progress against target / goal tracked?

    Progress is reviewed against goals annually or more frequently

    Progress is reported internally to the most senior level

    Progress is reported externally

    Other (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Energy & Resource Use

    Water

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Oceans

    5. In the course of the reporting period, has the company been involved in providing or enabling remedy for any actual impacts associated with the following environmental issue(s)?

    Yes

    No

    Choose to not disclose

    Not applicable (Please provide additional information)

    Climate Action

    Water

    Oceans

    Forests / Biodiversity / Land Use

    Air Pollution

    Waste (e.g., chemical spills, solid waste, hazardous, plastic, etc.)

    Energy & Resource Use

    Climate Action

    6. What were the company’s gross global greenhouse gas emissions for the reporting period?

    Scope 1 Emissions

    Emissions (tCO2e)

    8396

    Scope 2 Emissions

    Emissions (tCO2e)

    440

    Scope 3 Emissions

    Emissions (tCO2e)

    308860

    7. What percentage of the company's revenue was invested in R&D of low-carbon products/services during this reporting period?

    Percent of revenue (%)

    8. Has the organization acted to support climate change adaptation and resilience?

    Energy / Resource Use

    9. Please report the company's renewable energy consumption as a percentage of total energy consumption in the reporting period.

    % of total energy consumption

    62

    Technology

    10. What percent of the company's revenue came from environmentally friendly products / services during this reporting period?

    Percent of total revenue (%)

    Sector-specific Questions

    11. Which sector(s) does the company operate in? If diversified, choose top 3 by revenue.

    Overall Environment

    21. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the environment principles, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.

    2021 Progress on key initiatives included: — We reduced our combined Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 26% from our 2018 baseline that was adjusted for business disposals. The ongoing work we have undertaken to digitise our business and reduce our physical footprint has been a key driver of the reduction. The impact of COVID-19 will also have had an impact due to international mobility restrictions and office closures, however it has accelerated the changes in how we do business and the shift to digital. We are pleased with the progress we have made in digitising our business and we are continuing to focus on this as a priority. — Progress on supplier baselining and data models.
  • Anti-corruption

    Commitment

    1. Does the company have an anti-corruption compliance programme?

    2022

    2. Does your company have policies and recommendations for employees on how to act in case of doubt and/or in situations that may represent a conflict of interest, e.g. with regard to gifts and hospitality, donations, sponsorship, or interactions with public officials?

    Prevention

    3. Who receives training on anti-corruption and integrity?

    Optional comment
    Pearson has a risk based approach for training its third parties.

    3.1. How often is such training provided?

    One time only

    Every year

    Every two or more years

    We do not collect this data

    All employees

    Select employees

    Contractors

    Direct suppliers of the organization

    Other – such as partners, clients, etc.

    Indirect suppliers of the organization

    Optional comment
    As noted above, Pearson adopts a risk-based approach

    4. Does the company monitor its anti-corruption compliance programme?

    In addition to the options above, we have certain technological tools that help us monitor and we also report to our Audit Committee who provides monitor and governance four times a year.

    Response and Reporting

    5. Please report the company's total number and nature of incidents of corruption during the reporting year.

    Number of incident(s)

    Unknown

    Choose to not disclose

    Confirmed during the current year, but related to previous years

    For external reporting purposes, we disclose the total number of concerns raised and investigated via our third-party reporting line, PearsonEthics.com on page 236 of our Annual Report.

    Confirmed during the current year, and related to this year

    For external reporting purposes, we disclose the total number of concerns raised and investigated via our third-party reporting line, PearsonEthics.com on page 236 of our Annual Report.

    6. Within the reporting period, what measures has the company taken to address suspected incidents of corruption independently or in response to a dispute or investigation by a government regulator?

    Optional comment
    Please see notes on section 5 above on the issues cover on this response.

    7. Does your company engage in Collective Action against corruption?

    8. Briefly describe practical actions the company has taken during the reporting period and/or plans to take to implement the anti-corruption principle, including any challenges faced and actions taken towards prevention and/or remediation.

    - Implemented an automated ABC training programme - Created a global denied third-party list across the company - Revised and strengthened our Gifts and Hospitality and Conflicts of Interests policies and procedures - Strengthened our Compliance Council