Some 73 per cent of Britons do not believe that either Labour or the Conservatives will be successful in tackling poverty and climate change without significant support from businesses, research has revealed.
Business charity ReGenerate also found that more than half of the public think businesses need to play a bigger role than they currently do to help tackle these issues.
Former Labour voters were more likely than their Tory rivals to expect the government, whichever party is in power, to work more closely with business, the research revealed.
A report by ReGenerate laid out 16 steps to help businesses address climate change and poverty.
These included establishing a joint HM Treasury-Department for Business and Trade Office for the Impact Economy to coordinate efforts between businesses and investors to address social and environmental challenges.
The charity also suggested creating National and Community Growth Funds “to unlock private capital for public policy priorities, and support businesses and places that struggle to attract mainstream finance”.
Reforming the apprenticeship system to better serve marginalised groups and support employers is another suggestion.
The steps draw on ideas that have been put to government in the last decade, as well as input from more than 150 people in government, business, investment and civil society communities across 90 organisations in the last year.
Ed Boyd, Chief Executive at ReGenerate, said: “The incoming government has a tremendous opportunity to help unlock the power of business to profitably help tackle the big challenges we face, and do so in a way that boosts the economy.
“This is no time for the incoming government to be indifferent to working with businesses. The evidence is clear - if the government wants to be successful in tackling issues like poverty and climate change, they need businesses to play a bigger role.
Esme Clifford, Policy Director at ReGenerate added: “We know that businesses want to do more. Our evidence demonstrates that companies which improve society tend to be more profitable; as more people want to invest in, work for and buy from them. Our new manifesto sets out a number of reform ideas that research shows would help to make that happen.”
