Verification and validation.

This section of our report shows how our performance is verified and our own internal audit process perceived by the outside world.

Our performance verified by others

During the year we have our sustainability performance ranked and reviewed. Our results for 2010 are detailed below:

Business in the Community Corporate Responsibility Index

This year, we achieved a gold level rating of 94.2% in 2010 up from 90% in 2009. Feedback from the annual survey is available here.

We also benchmarked our overseas businesses in USA, France and Netherlands using the CR Index which can be found here.

ClimateWise

Read 2011's performance against principles report for Climatewise here.

DowJones SAM Benchmarking report

Our performance benchmarked against global peers in the Dow Jones Sustainable Asset Management gave us a ranking of 70%, down from 74% in 2009, resulting in a Bronze Rating.

You can download our performance comparison report here.

EIRIS report

A review of our 2010 performance and disclosures provided by EIRIS, a leading global provider in ESG research services shows that we do well in many areas of our business.

Download their view of our business here.

OEKOM Prime Stock / ECPI

We countinue to be be key component stocks for these two ESG research houses who worry about sustainability performance.

Legal & General OEKOM Corporate Rating

Internal Audit Verification Statement and Approach

The following statement relating to the reporting on this microsite was produced by Legal & General Group′s internal audit team. We choose to remain internally audited rather than externally audited as we believe that the analyst reports above hold us to account for our performance.

Background

The Legal & General Corporate Social Responsibility Report includes sections on customer policies, our employees, the environment, our suppliers, community initiatives and socially responsible investment. Where relevant, we have also included details of how Legal & General America, Legal & General Netherlands and Legal & General France address these areas as well as selected data on our other overseas operations.

Group Internal Audit has provided independent verification of the Report as noted below:

Objectives

The objective of this verification is to express an opinion on:

  • The reliability of the processes used by Legal & General to identify, collect and report data and supplementary information included within the Corporate Social Responsibility Report.
  • The accuracy of data included in the Report.

Summary of Procedures Performed

In contrast to financial reporting standards, statutory reporting and verification standards do not exist for the review of social and environmental performance. Group Internal Audit has, therefore, applied a methodology consistent with best audit practice in undertaking this verification procedure.

Our Review Comprised:

  • Interviews with senior management within Legal & General and a review of the processes in place to report qualitative data.
  • Review and verification of data including reference to supporting documentation where appropriate. Reliance was placed on the ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certification of certain systems within Legal & General where appropriate.
  • Review of the final content of the Report to assess consistency with the overall findings of our work.

Opinion

On the basis of the work performed, we have reached the following opinion:

  • Appropriate management systems have been put in place to capture and consolidate Corporate Social Responsibility performance information related to Legal & General′s Groupwide activities; and
  • Quantitative data is accurately stated within the Report and the rationale for using estimated figures is recorded where relevant.

John Adlam

Group Chief Internal Auditor
April 2011

Legal & General Group Plc

One Coleman Street
London EC2R 5AA
www.legalandgeneralgroup.com/csr


What matters to you?

Should big banks be forced to lend money to individuals and small businesses?