Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) National Committee list
Tower Hamlets Council is considering the financial impact of divesting its pension fund from companies on lists like the BDS National Committee list.
Tower Hamlets Council's Pension Committee is currently assessing the potential financial impact of divesting its pension fund from companies associated with human rights abuses, including those on lists like the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) National Committee list. A report presented in September 2026 warned that while excluding companies from the UNOHCHR database might have a minimal effect on returns, broader exclusions could substantially alter the fund's risk and return profile.
The committee considered analyses from London CIV and Marsh, which assessed the pension fund's holdings against five specified lists. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement advocates for economic pressure against Israel to meet international law obligations, including withdrawal from occupied territories and rights for Palestinian refugees.
Key facts
- Tower Hamlets Council's Pension Committee was warned in September 2026 that divesting from companies could significantly impact fund returns. Source
- Excluding companies from the UNOHCHR database might have a minimal effect on expected returns (approximately 0.4% of the index). Source
- Broader exclusions based on other lists could lead to substantial changes in the fund's risk and return profile. Source
- The committee considered analyses from London CIV and Marsh regarding pension fund holdings against five specified lists. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.