Recommendations & Conclusions
6 items
9
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in …
Accepted
The Transparency in Supply Chains legislation in the Modern Slavery Act was important when it was first introduced, but it has not kept pace with changes in business supply chains. The Modern Slavery Act is out of date, has no teeth, and we do not accept that businesses should be …
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The Transparency in Supply Chains legislation in the Modern Slavery Act was important when it was first introduced, but it has not kept pace with changes in business supply chains. The Modern Slavery Act is out of date, has no teeth, and we do not accept that businesses should be excused from doing basic due diligence to guarantee that their supply chains are fully transparent and free from forced labour and slavery.
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Government response AI summary
The government defends the pioneering nature of the Modern Slavery Act but acknowledges the need for improvement, stating it committed to strengthening the legislation in September 2020. It reiterates its expectation for businesses to be vigilant and conduct due diligence.
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Department for Business and Trade
10
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in …
Accepted
The Department’s commitment to working with other ministries to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act and Transparency in Supply Chain legislation is welcome. However, there is little evidence that BEIS-specific issues around corporate governance and audit regulations are being given sufficient prominence in these cross-departmental discussions in Government.
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The Department’s commitment to working with other ministries to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act and Transparency in Supply Chain legislation is welcome. However, there is little evidence that BEIS-specific issues around corporate governance and audit regulations are being given sufficient prominence in these cross-departmental discussions in Government.
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Government response AI summary
The government notes this conclusion and details actions taken or planned to address corporate governance and audit regulations, including working with the Home Office on Modern Slavery Act enforcement, publishing a White Paper consultation on audit, and planning to legislate on corporate transparency.
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Department for Business and Trade
14
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in …
Accepted
We recommend that the Department, in collaboration with the FCDO and DIT, fully assess the options for introducing targeted sanctions against Chinese and international businesses implicated in human rights abuses and the exploitation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (Paragraph 68) BEIS Official Development Assistance spending in China
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We recommend that the Department, in collaboration with the FCDO and DIT, fully assess the options for introducing targeted sanctions against Chinese and international businesses implicated in human rights abuses and the exploitation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (Paragraph 68) BEIS Official Development Assistance spending in China
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Government response AI summary
The government states that it has already imposed asset freezes and travel bans against those responsible for human rights violations in Xinjiang on March 22, and announced a review into export controls on January 12.
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Department for Business and Trade
15
Conclusion
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in …
Accepted
We were disappointed that the information provided by the Minister about the deployment of BEIS Department ODA funding in China only gave a high-level overview of the various research and training programmes taking place in China under the umbrella of BEIS ODA. This is important because it does not guarantee …
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We were disappointed that the information provided by the Minister about the deployment of BEIS Department ODA funding in China only gave a high-level overview of the various research and training programmes taking place in China under the umbrella of BEIS ODA. This is important because it does not guarantee effective oversight of the use of BEIS funding in China.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees transparency is important for ODA funding in China and states its commitment to improving data management. It highlights existing measures, including a 'Good' transparency score, new data systems, and a recent ICAI audit finding its approach robust, which it argues ensures effective …
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Department for Business and Trade
16
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in …
Accepted
We recommend that the Department commit to full transparency in terms of its ODA funding being used in China to ensure that no Government funds are being used to underpin human rights abuses. The use of taxpayer funds needs to be addressed. The Department should conduct an urgent review of …
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We recommend that the Department commit to full transparency in terms of its ODA funding being used in China to ensure that no Government funds are being used to underpin human rights abuses. The use of taxpayer funds needs to be addressed. The Department should conduct an urgent review of its direct expenditure, including those via other UK Government departments - in particular the DIT and FCDO - or public bodies in China, to ensure it is compliant with the principles expressed in this report.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees on the importance of transparency for ODA funding in China and states it is committed to improving data management. It highlights existing robust measures, including anti-slavery provisions in allocation letters and a recent ICAI audit finding its approach robust, which address the …
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Department for Business and Trade
17
Recommendation
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in …
Accepted
The Department should also publish a comprehensive supply chain review of Newton Fund-supported projects in China and provide the Committee with a full list of the organisations it works with in administering the Newton Fund and the sums of money involved. (Paragraph 75) 26 Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and …
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The Department should also publish a comprehensive supply chain review of Newton Fund-supported projects in China and provide the Committee with a full list of the organisations it works with in administering the Newton Fund and the sums of money involved. (Paragraph 75) 26 Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
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Government response AI summary
The government agreed on the need for greater transparency and is introducing a new digital data submission tool for Newton Fund partner organisations to report detailed expenditure, individual grants, and awards, which will help address the request for a list of organisations and sums of …
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Department for Business and Trade