6th Report - Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains

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 leadership and coordination.

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.

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.

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 in the labour chapter of trade agreements.

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.

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.

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 a senior non-executive director and is recruiting a lead for ethical supply chains.

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.

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 also monitor the Solar Stewardship Initiative and use the Solar Council for dialogue and progress evaluation.

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.

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.

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.

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 by July 2026.