Recommendations & Conclusions
13 items
3
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
There is a lack of visible leadership and coordination within government on tackling forced labour in UK supply chains. (Conclusion, Paragraph 34)
Government response. The government disputes the premise, stating that departments work closely together, identifying key departments and their roles, and highlighting existing structures like senior cross-Whitehall governance for the RBC Review and cross-government Ministerial meetings.
Ministry of Justice
4
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
The Government should consider how it can provide visible leadership and coordination on the issue of forced labour in supply chains within government. (Recommendation, Paragraph 35) 76
Government response. The government states that departments like the Home Office, DBT, FCDO, and Cabinet Office already work closely, outlining their respective responsibilities and existing initiatives like the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the new Office for Responsible Business Conduct, to provide …
Ministry of Justice
11
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
In developing its own mandatory human rights due diligence, the UK should be mindful of the outcome of the CSDDD process in the EU, in order to ensure that businesses which operate in both the UK and EU are not placed under conflicting regulatory burdens. (Recommendation, Paragraph 84) 77
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, stating that the Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) review will have due regard to EU approaches and that it is in regular contact with the European Commission on this issue.
Ministry of Justice
21
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
Other key comparator markets such as the EU and USA have put in place import bans on goods linked to forced labour. The UK’s lack of equivalent legislation puts the UK at risk of becoming a dumping ground for goods that cannot be sold elsewhere. (Conclusion, Paragraph 125) 78
Government response. The government's response detailed existing tools such as Free Trade Agreements with labour provisions and the Developing Countries Trading Scheme, as its approach to ensuring labour standards and preventing forced labour in supply chains.
Ministry of Justice
32
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
The EU’s systemic approach to including human rights clauses in its free trade agreements provides an example of how the UK’s approach to trade could be used to project British values abroad. (Conclusion, Paragraph 194)
Government response. The government responded by outlining its existing and ongoing efforts to include forced labour provisions in its Free Trade Agreements, citing examples with Australia, New Zealand, CPTPP, and India, and describing other mechanisms like the Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
Ministry of Justice
35
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
The Government should make it an explicit policy to include provisions concerning forced labour in future trade deals. (Recommendation, Paragraph 201)
Government response. The government states it already pursues the inclusion of forced labour provisions in FTAs, citing examples like those with Australia, New Zealand, CPTPP, and India. They affirm that FTAs are one of several tools used to address forced labour.
Ministry of Justice
36
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
The UK should carry out effective impact assessments before entering trade negotiations with other nations. These assessments should include analysis of how enhanced trading arrangements with the UK will impact the use of forced labour in the contracting state, and whether an agreement would be likely to increase the UK’s …
Government response. The government states that prior to entering trade negotiations, it carries out scoping assessments that provide a qualitative assessment of trading partners' adherence to ILO conventions. It adds that it works with trading partners to address forced labour through commitments …
Ministry of Justice
38
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
The Government should establish a regular, formal process to assess whether the obligations to uphold labour rights and human rights in trade agreements are being met. If breaches are found, the UK should have a policy of using dispute resolution mechanisms and exemptions under trade agreements to their fullest effect …
Government response. The government states it already uses existing FTA implementation tools, formal sub-committees, and civil society forums to discuss and progress labour commitments with 14 partners. It also commits to using dispute settlement mechanisms where most appropriate.
Ministry of Justice
45
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
The Government should review the actions of the Procurement Review Unit to assess if its investigations are taking account of all relevant evidence and are effectively informing the exclusion regime within 12 months of the enactment of the Procurement Act (February 2026). (Recommendation, Paragraph 231)
Government response. The government accepted the recommendation, stating the Procurement Review Unit (PRU) will consider all relevant evidence and plans to conduct regular reviews of its debarment investigation processes to capture and implement lessons learned.
Ministry of Justice
46
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
The Committee are encouraged by the Minister for Energy’s assurance that GBE will take action on issues or concerns relating to forced labour raised by the JCHR. (Conclusion, Paragraph 237)
Government response. The government confirms Great British Energy (GBE) will follow strict ethical standards, detailing steps like issuing a Statement of Strategic Priorities, requiring GBE to develop a Strategic Plan, appointing a Director for Ethical Supply Chains, and publishing an annual report …
Ministry of Justice
47
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
Great British Energy must inform the Committee 12 months after this report is published to set out (i) how the objective on measures for ensuring that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in Great British Energy’s business or supply chain has been implemented, and (ii) what their plans …
Government response. The government states Great British Energy (GBE) has been directed via a Statement of Strategic Priorities to proactively tackle forced labour and become a sector leader in ethical supply chains, including developing and publishing a Strategic Plan, and has appointed …
Ministry of Justice
51
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
GBE and other public buyers must ensure that solar procurement decisions are made on the basis of independent assessments and not rely solely on the SSI to provide assurance of supply chains. (Recommendation, Paragraph 256)
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, confirming that procurement decisions are not made solely on SSI assessments. It highlights existing legal frameworks and policies, and details Great British Energy's recruitment of a senior ethical supply chain lead to embed procurement standards.
Ministry of Justice
53
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Accepted
The Government should urgently address the omissions in the Solar Roadmap in relation to global supply chains and develop a viable strategy to address the risks of forced labour in the UK’s solar supply chain. In developing this strategy, government should engage with trade bodies, relevant NGOs, academics, civil society …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, stating it is working collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders as part of its Solar Roadmap commitment to develop and implement solutions for forced labour risks in the UK’s solar supply chain. It will …
Ministry of Justice