Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
1
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Acknowledged
The evidence we heard demonstrates that goods produced by forced labour are being sold in the UK. (Conclusion, Paragraph 21)
Government response. The government shares the committee's concern about forced labour goods and is actively exploring options to strengthen protections, including launching a review of responsible business conduct policy and leveraging existing procurement and clean energy sector initiatives.
Ministry of Justice
6
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Acknowledged
Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act is not effectively motivating companies to address forced labour in their supply chains. The Committee is pleased to see the Government are considering changes to strengthen the duty. (Conclusion, Paragraph 59)
Government response. The government acknowledges the issues with Section 54, highlighting its ongoing Responsible Business Conduct review and a National Baseline Assessment that will inform future approaches to strengthening supply chain protections, and the establishment of the Office for Responsible Business Conduct.
Ministry of Justice
33
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Acknowledged
The UK has not yet developed a uniform approach to embedding obligations to uphold human rights in its trade agreements, and it is unclear how the impacts of such clauses are assessed and evaluated when used. (Conclusion, Paragraph 199)
Government response. The government acknowledges the role of FTAs in tackling forced labour and states it will continue to pursue the inclusion of forced labour provisions, listing existing agreements. However, it does not explicitly address the points about a uniform approach or …
Ministry of Justice
34
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Acknowledged
Ensuring clauses on human rights are included in trade agreements can demonstrate the UK’s values and principles in terms of forced labour. (Conclusion, Paragraph 200)
Government response. The government acknowledges that FTAs are an important tool for tackling forced labour and states it will continue to pursue the inclusion of forced labour provisions in trade agreements, citing existing examples.
Ministry of Justice
41
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Acknowledged
The Procurement Act and the Great British Energy Bill provide public buyers with new discretionary powers to reject suppliers if the use of forced labour is reasonably suspected. (Conclusion, Paragraph 222)
Government response. The government confirms that the Procurement Act 2023 will empower public sector contracting authorities, including Great British Energy, to reject bids or terminate contracts with suppliers implicated in forced labour.
Ministry of Justice
44
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Acknowledged
The exclusion regime under the PA 2023 presents an opportunity to tackle forced labour in public procurement if used correctly and to its full extent. However, this will depend on effective functioning of the Procurement Review Unit. (Conclusion, Paragraph 230)
Government response. The government states that the Procurement Review Unit (PRU) will consider all relevant evidence in debarment investigations and plans to regularly review its investigation processes to capture and implement lessons learned.
Ministry of Justice
49
Recommendation
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Acknowledged
The Critical Minerals Strategy should outline specific steps that the Government will take to address the UK’s reliance on critical minerals which are sourced from regions with high risks of forced labour and child labour. (Recommendation, Paragraph 243)
Government response. The government acknowledged the recommendation, stating the new Critical Minerals Strategy, expected in 2025, will refine its approach to responsible and transparent supply chains.
Ministry of Justice
50
Conclusion
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply…
Acknowledged
The risks of forced labour presented by the solar industry, which is a key element of the Government’s intended energy procurement programme, are not being effectively addressed. (Conclusion, Paragraph 255)
Government response. The government acknowledges the complexity and challenges of forced labour risks in the solar supply chain and outlines ongoing work under the Solar Roadmap, including stakeholder collaboration, monitoring the Solar Stewardship Initiative, and the role of the Solar Council.
Ministry of Justice