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Select Committee · Human Rights (Joint Committee)

Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains

Status: Closed Opened: 16 Jan 2025 Closed: 13 May 2026 31 recommendations 26 conclusions 1 report

The inquiry will examine the UK’s current legal and voluntary framework in relation to forced labour in international supply chains, and whether it is effective in managing forced labour exposure risks in the UK market, or if changes are required.

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains HC 633 24 Jul 2025 57 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
37 Recommendation 6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply… Rejected

The UK should not enter trade agreements or negotiations with states that actively and knowingly...

The UK should not enter trade agreements or negotiations with states that actively and knowingly participate in gross violations of human rights, such as state-imposed forced labour. (Recommendation, Paragraph 205)

Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that secure trading relationships increase influence and allow for more open discussions on human rights, and that concerns are raised directly with partner governments.
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Ministry of Justice
43 Recommendation 6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply… Rejected

The Government should assess how frequently the new discretionary powers are being used across public...

The Government should assess how frequently the new discretionary powers are being used across public sector buyers by analysing the reports on excludable suppliers submitted to the Procurement Review Unit by Contracting Authorities. If it appears the discretionary powers are being underused, or there is a wide variance in the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government rejected the recommendation, stating it would not be appropriate to set a general baseline for how frequently discretionary powers should be used or to assess their frequency due to the case-by-case nature of exclusions by contracting authorities.
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Ministry of Justice
52 Recommendation 6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply… Rejected

The Solar Roadmap does not provide practical steps to reduce the risks of forced labour...

The Solar Roadmap does not provide practical steps to reduce the risks of forced labour in solar supply chains and increase the diversity of supply to the UK market as suggested by Ministers. (Conclusion, Paragraph 257) The Government should evaluate the work of the Solar Taskforce to determine why the … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government states that providing broader recommendations on forced labour in supply chains was beyond the scope of the Solar Roadmap due to its cross-sector nature, and that work on this issue is continuing through the Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) review.
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Ministry of Justice
56 Conclusion 6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply… Rejected

We support the creation of a Survivor Advisory Council.

We support the creation of a Survivor Advisory Council. Such a body could empower survivors of forced labour to contribute to meaningful legislative change and policy reform. (Conclusion, Paragraph 279)

Government response AI summary
The government rejected the creation of a dedicated Survivor Advisory Council, stating it is not the most effective approach, and will instead strengthen collaboration with existing sector-led Lived Experience Advisory Panels to amplify survivor voices.
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Ministry of Justice
57 Recommendation 6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply… Rejected

We recommend that the Government works with the IAS Commissioner and takes the necessary steps...

We recommend that the Government works with the IAS Commissioner and takes the necessary steps - including financial - to facilitate the creation of a Survivor Advisory Council. (Recommendation, Paragraph 280) 83

Government response AI summary
The government rejected the recommendation to create a Survivor Advisory Council, concluding it is not the most effective approach. Instead, they will strengthen collaboration with existing sector-led Lived Experience Advisory Panels.
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Ministry of Justice

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
7 May 2025 Daniel Cox · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Matthew Davies · Cabinet Office, Sarah Jones · Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business and Trade View ↗
23 Apr 2025 Alex Murray · National Crime Agency, Eleanor Lyons, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, Phillip Holliday · Border Force View ↗
19 Mar 2025 Chris Hewett · Solar Taskforce, J.J. Messner de Latour · Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA), John Morrison · MG Alba, Katharine Bryant · Walk Free View ↗
5 Mar 2025 Dr Roger Barker · Institute of Directors (IoD), Mr Craig Melson · techUK, Mr Oliver Holland · Leigh Day, Mr Scott Steedman CBE · British Standards Institution (BSI), Professor Olga Martin-Ortega · University of Greenwich View ↗
22 Jan 2025 Michael Rudin · BBC, Professor Alexander Trautrims · Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham, Rahima Mahmut · World Uyghur Congress View ↗

Who gave evidence

18 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alex Murray · Director of Threat Leadership National Crime Agency 1
Chris Hewett · Co-Chair Solar Taskforce 1
Daniel Cox · Deputy Director Department for Energy Security and Net Zero 1
Dr Roger Barker · Director of Policy and Corporate Governance Institute of Directors (IoD) 1
Eleanor Lyons, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner — 1
J.J. Messner de Latour · Sector Lead, Purchasing Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA) 1
John Morrison · Chair MG Alba 1
Katharine Bryant · Director of Operations Walk Free 1
Matthew Davies · HR Deputy Director Cabinet Office 1
Michael Rudin · Executive Producer, BBC Eye Investigations BBC 1
Mr Craig Melson · Associate Director techUK 1
Mr Oliver Holland · Partner Leigh Day 1
Mr Scott Steedman CBE · Director-General British Standards Institution (BSI) 1
Phillip Holliday · Central Region Director Border Force 1
Professor Alexander Trautrims · Associate Director Rights Lab at the University of Nottingham 1
Professor Olga Martin-Ortega · Leader of the Business, Human Rights and Environm… University of Greenwich 1
Rahima Mahmut · UK Director World Uyghur Congress 1
Sarah Jones · Minister for Industry Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Department for Business and Trade 1

Correspondence

22 letters
DateDirectionTitle
16 Oct 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister of State for Trade to the Committee regarding …
25 Jul 2025 — Correspondence to the Committee from the Minister of State for Industry regardi…
18 Jul 2025 — Correspondence to the Committee from the Secretary of State for Business & Trad…
10 Jul 2025 — Correspondence to the Committee from the NCA regarding the Forced Labour in UK …
10 Jul 2025 — Correspondence to the Committee from the Minister for Energy regarding the Forc…
3 Jul 2025 — Correspondence to the Committee from the Chair of Great British Energy regardin…
13 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to the Minister for Energy relating to Forced…
13 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to Mr Alexander Murray relating to Forced Lab…
13 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to Mr Juergen Maier relating to Forced Labour…
13 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to the Secretary of State for Business and Tr…
13 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to the Minister for Industry relating to Forc…
12 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to the Minister for Energy relating to Forced…
12 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from The Rt Hon the Baroness May of Maidenhead relating to Force…
12 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Minister of state for Industry Department for Energy Se…
12 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from The Minister for Energy relating to Great British Energy’s …
12 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Business & Trade and President o…
12 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the National Crime Agency relating to Forced Labour dated 1…
12 Jun 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to Secretary of State for Business and trade …
15 May 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to the Secretary of state for Business and Tr…
8 Apr 2025 — Correspondence from the Committee to the Minister of Energy regarding Human Rig…