Every “reputable” company claims to be socially responsible and will go to great lengths to demonstrate this. But the concept has been in steady decline since its heyday in Victorian England.

In the 19th century, great business leaders were concerned about the welfare of their staff and invested heavily to make improvements. They were also enthusiastic supporters of municipal authorities that struggled to provide citizens with safe water, better education and cleaner streets. Britain led the world in improving the appalling circumstances of the urban poor, thanks to this alliance between local authorities and local business people.