Strengthening the UK’s Forced Labour and Human Rights Legislative Framework
About this Report
Global supply chains have become increasingly complex, creating risks that goods produced with forced labour enter international markets, including the UK. While the Modern Slavery Act 2015 introduced provisions to tackle modern slavery in supply chains, the UK’s framework still relies largely on transparency and voluntary reporting by businesses.
At the same time, other countries are introducing stronger legislation to address forced labour in supply chains, including mandatory human rights due diligence and bans on goods produced with forced labour. Without similar action, the UK risks becoming a dumping ground for goods tainted by forced labour.
Recognising these challenges, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner commissioned this report to examine how the UK’s legislative framework could be strengthened to address forced labour linked to global supply chains.
The research combined three approaches:
- Comparative analysis of international legislation addressing forced labour and human rights in supply chains
- Engagement with businesses, trade unions, civil society and survivors of exploitation
- Development of model legislative drafting to support potential UK reforms
The Scale of the Challenge
Evidence highlighted in the report shows:
- Modern slavery costs the UK an estimated £60 billion each year, around 2% of GDP
- Around £20 billion of UK imports are currently at risk of being linked to forced labour
- 61% of the public believe everyday products sold in the UK may be linked to forced or child labour
- 84% support the UK blocking imports of goods tainted by forced or child labour
Key Findings
The report highlights significant gaps in the UK’s current approach to tackling forced labour in supply chains.
- Forced labour remains embedded in global supply chains, creating risks that goods produced with exploitation enter the UK market.
- The UK’s current framework relies largely on transparency and voluntary reporting by businesses, which has limited impact on preventing forced labour.
- Public concern about forced labour is high, with strong support for stronger government action.
- As other jurisdictions introduce stronger legislation, there is a growing risk the UK could become a destination for goods rejected elsewhere.
Recommendations
The report proposes new legislation to strengthen the UK’s response to forced labour linked to global supply chains.
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Introduce mandatory human rights due diligence, requiring large companies to identify, prevent and address serious human rights abuses in their supply chains.
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Introduce a ban on goods produced with forced labour entering the UK market.
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Establish a clear and enforceable regulatory framework, supported by appropriate oversight and enforcement mechanisms.
The report also includes model legislative drafting designed to support the development of this legislation.
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