Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Acknowledged
UK risks becoming a 'dumping ground' for forced labour products without legislative reforms.
Conclusion
The UK is at serious risk of becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for products made with forced labour if it does not keep up with our global partners on legislative reforms to tackle modern slavery. (Conclusion, Paragraph 85)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the risk and its commitment to eradicating forced labour, stating it will continue to assess and monitor existing measures and emerging policy tools, and will consult stakeholders when considering further action.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
This Government is clear that no company in the UK should have forced labour in its supply chain and remains committed to eradicating forced labour in global supply chains. The UK supports voluntary due diligence approaches taken by UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment across their operations and supply relationships, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises. The Government acknowledges the changing international landscape and the range of new policies introduced by several of our trading partners in recent years, including the EU and US. We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK’s existing measures, alongside the impacts of new policy tools that are emerging, to ensure we can best promote responsible business practices and take action where appropriate. The Department for Business and Trade regularly engages with stakeholders in business and civil society on these issues, as do other government departments, and we will consult thoroughly with interested stakeholders as we consider any further action.