Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Deferred
Significant inconsistency exists in Modern Slavery Statements' transparency, hindering informed consumer purchasing decisions.
Conclusion
Case studies reviewed by the Committee highlight a significant inconsistency in the transparency of Modern Slavery Statements. Although these statements may meet the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the lack of standardisation hinders consumers from making informed purchasing decisions and assessing whether products are free from exploitative labour practices. (Conclusion, Paragraph 79)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the inconsistency in Modern Slavery Statements and states it is considering how to strengthen the Section 54 regime, including reporting requirements, and will set out next steps in due course. It also notes updated statutory guidance has been published.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 established the UK as the first country in the world to require businesses to report on how they are tackling modern slavery in their organisation and supply chains. Section 54 has helped bring greater awareness of modern slavery in boardrooms across the country, but it is clear that our approach needs to evolve. The Government is considering how it can strengthen the Section 54 regime, including reporting requirements, the turnover threshold and penalties for non-compliance, and will set out the next steps more broadly in due course. Significant long-term reform will take time, and in the interim the Home Office has recently published updated Transparency in Supply Chains statutory guidance.3 This new guidance is more comprehensive, practical and ambitious – calling on businesses to go further and faster. This will support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to modern slavery. The Home Office worked with a wide group of stakeholders from business, academia and civil society to ensure the guidance reflects current best practice.