Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains: Scrutiny, Reform, and Responsibility in a Globalised Economy

In an era where global supply chains stretch across continents and industries, the true cost of consumer goods is under renewed scrutiny in the UK. On 21 January 2025, the Joint Committee on Human Rights launched a new inquiry into forced labour in UK supply chains, aiming to investigate whether the existing legal and voluntary frameworks are sufficient to prevent goods tainted by modern slavery from reaching British markets.

This landmark inquiry arrives amid mounting concerns that goods produced under exploitative conditions—including child and forced labour—are regularly sold in the UK. As global awareness of modern slavery grows, so too does the demand for stronger, enforceable measures to keep such goods out of consumer baskets and business inventories.

Global Scale of Forced Labour

Globally, forced labour is a persistent and harrowing issue. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 27.6 million people are subject to forced labour, including 3.3 million children. These figures span industries from agriculture and mining to textiles, electronics, and food processing. Labour exploitation often takes place far from the end consumer, hidden within the dense layers of transnational supply chains.

Evidence shows that British consumers may unwittingly be purchasing goods linked to such practices. Notably, recent investigative reports highlighted that tomatoes labelled as Italian were actually processed in China under conditions that potentially involved forced labour. Such revelations underscore the complexity and opacity of modern supply chains, making it challenging—but critical—to track the ethical footprint of imports.

The UK’s Current Legal Framework

The UK's primary legislative tool in addressing forced labour is the Modern Slavery Act 2015. When introduced, the Act was hailed as world-leading, particularly for its focus on victim protection and corporate transparency. It criminalises slavery, servitude, forced labour, and human trafficking and requires certain businesses to produce annual modern slavery statements, disclosing the steps they are taking to prevent exploitation in their supply chains.

Yet critics argue the Act has not evolved to meet the realities of modern global commerce. Reports suggest that compliance is often minimal, enforcement weak, and public bodies underpowered. The UK is now at risk of falling behind other jurisdictions like the EU and USA, which have recently adopted stronger enforcement mechanisms and due diligence mandates.

The Purpose of the Inquiry

According to Lord Alton, Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, the inquiry seeks to examine whether:

• The Modern Slavery Act and other domestic laws are still fit for purpose,
   
• Businesses are being held to account effectively, and
   
• The UK can learn from international best practices.
   

“The complexity and range of global supply chains have meant that consumers in the UK may be buying goods made using forced labour,” Lord Alton said. “We want to see if current legislation is effective and whether lessons could be learnt from the approaches taken by other countries.”

Terms of Reference: Key Areas of Focus

The inquiry will consider a broad range of issues grouped into five main areas:

1. Legislative Framework

• Is the Modern Slavery Act 2015 effective in blocking goods linked to forced labour?
   
• Are there gaps in UK law that allow such goods to enter the market?
   
• What are the UK’s international legal obligations, and are we compliant?
   
• Where should responsibility lie—government, regulators, businesses, or consumers?
   

There is also growing legal precedent that UK authorities and courts can take action against companies whose supply chains involve overseas forced labour. The Committee seeks to understand the impact of such case law on business practices.

2. Enforcement and Corporate Accountability

Three public bodies are central to enforcement:

• The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner
   
• The National Crime Agency (NCA)
   
• Border Force
   

The inquiry asks:

• Do these agencies have sufficient powers and resources?
   
• How can they coordinate more effectively?
   
• Should all companies, regardless of size, be held accountable?
   
• How can businesses be helped to perform meaningful due diligence?
   

3. Consumer Awareness and Behaviour

The inquiry also seeks to understand the role of public perception and consumer power:

• Does public knowledge of forced labour translate into buying decisions?
   
• Are current transparency measures truly effective in informing consumers?
   

This aspect reflects a growing concern that corporate social responsibility statements often serve as PR tools rather than meaningful disclosures. The Committee wants to ensure that transparency leads to tangible change.

4. Procurement Risks

Public procurement—by government bodies, councils, and institutions—can pose high risks of exposure to forced labour:

• Are there safeguards in place to mitigate this?
   
• How can procurement frameworks be improved to support ethical sourcing?
   

Public sector contracts represent a major lever in shaping ethical trade practices. Ensuring that public money does not fuel exploitation is both a moral and economic imperative.

5. International Comparisons

The inquiry is explicitly looking to international best practices, including:

• The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (USA, 2021): which bans imports linked to forced labour in Xinjiang unless companies can prove a clean supply chain.
   
• The EU’s proposed regulations, including:
   
  • Forced Labour Regulation: which bans products made using forced labour.
     
  • Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD): requiring companies to assess and address human rights and environmental risks across supply chains.
     

The UK has a chance to learn and lead by adapting the strongest elements of these models while avoiding their weaknesses—such as overburdening small businesses or introducing loopholes.

Sector Spotlight: Industries at Risk

Some industries are particularly vulnerable due to the nature of their supply chains:

• Textiles: Often linked to low-cost labour in South and Southeast Asia.
   
• Electronics: Components may be sourced from areas with documented forced labour use.
   
• Agriculture and food processing: Complex routes from farm to fork often obscure the origin of labour.
   

The Committee is particularly interested in how these sectors assess and mitigate risk—and what additional tools or mandates could help.

Proposals on the Table

Among potential changes being considered are:

• Mandatory due diligence laws, especially for larger corporations.
   
• Trade bans or sanctions on goods with known links to forced labour.
   
• Expanded roles and powers for regulatory bodies like the NCA and Border Force.
   
• Publicly funded ethical auditing services to support smaller businesses.
   
• New government guidelines aligning with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Challenges Ahead

Addressing forced labour is complex. It touches on foreign policy, international trade, corporate governance, law enforcement, and consumer behaviour. The inquiry faces tough questions:

• How far can UK law reach into global supply chains?
   
• Can we avoid creating unfair burdens for small and medium enterprises?
   
• What balance must be struck between national competitiveness and moral responsibility?
   

Nevertheless, there is strong momentum behind reform. In a globalised economy, the UK has both the power and the responsibility to ensure that its consumption habits do not come at the cost of someone else’s freedom.

A Call for Evidence

The Committee invites written submissions addressing its wide-ranging questions. The deadline is Thursday 13 February 2025. Submissions can come from businesses, NGOs, legal experts, trade associations, and individuals.

This is an opportunity to shape what may become the next phase of modern slavery legislation in the UK—a chance to move from awareness to action.

Conclusion: A Defining Test of Ethical Trade

The inquiry into forced labour in UK supply chains is more than a bureaucratic exercise—it’s a moral reckoning. With tens of millions trapped in modern slavery worldwide, the UK must confront the uncomfortable possibility that its marketplace is enabling this exploitation.

Through evidence, debate, and reform, the Joint Committee on Human Rights is taking a first step toward restoring integrity to global trade. Whether this inquiry leads to stronger laws, better enforcement, or simply more informed consumers, one thing is clear: business as usual is no longer acceptable.

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