Identifying forced labour in international supply chains is challenging due to their complexity and opacity, the lack of transparency and reliable data. There is ongoing work to examine the extent to which UK supply chains are affected by forced labour. Prior to entering negotiations with trading partners, the UK carries out scoping assessments. These provide a qualitative assessment of the ILO conventions our trading partners are signed up to. It is through the commitments in the labour chapter of a trade agreement that the UK works with trading partners to address forced labour. For example, in the recently signed UK-India FTA both countries agreed to provisions to discourage forced and compulsory labour. JCHR Recommendation 20 20. The UK should not enter trade agreements or negotiations with states that actively and knowingly participate in gross violations of human rights, such as state-imposed forced labour. (Paragraph 205) Government Response The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. We remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights. Having secure and growing trading relationships can increase UK influence and allow us to have more open discussions with partners on a range of issues, including human rights. When we have concerns, they are raised directly with partner governments, including at ministerial level. JCHR Recommendation 21 21. The Government should establish a regular, formal process to assess whether the obligations to uphold labour rights and human rights in trade agreements are being met. If breaches are found, the UK should have a policy of using dispute resolution mechanisms and exemptions under trade agreements to their fullest effect to prevent and deter future breaches. (Paragraph 206) Government Response The Government is committed to ensuring labour standards are protected internationally. Our FTAs include important implementation tools which ensure labour commitments are constantly being discussed and progressed. These implementation tools ensure we are identifying areas for further cooperation and ensure our FTA partners are upholding their labour commitments. To date, the UK has held labour discussions with 14 FTA partners through formal sub-committees. These have included discussions on forced labour with Vietnam and Singapore, with the UK sharing best practice on approaches. We also hold regular civil society forums with our FTA partners, including Vietnam, Andean nations and New Zealand to provide a formal mechanism for stakeholders to raise suggestions and any concerns. Dispute settlement mechanisms in the UK’s FTAs provide a means to address breaches of obligations. Where the dispute mechanism is the most appropriate method, the Government is committed to using it. 12 Procurement Act 2023 JCHR Recommendation 22 22. The Government should assess how frequently the new discretionary powers are being used across public sector buyers by analysing the reports on excludable suppliers submitted to the Procurement Review Unit by Contracting Authorities. If it appears the discretionary powers are being underused, or there is a wide variance in the range of use, Government should consult with Contracting Authorities to understand why this is the case and explore whether further support is required. (Paragraph 224) Government Response The Procurement Act outlines the process for considering exclusions which contracting authorities must follow. The Act distinguishes between mandatory and discretionary exclusion grounds. Mandatory exclusion grounds cover the most serious, high risk scenarios. Discretionary exclusion grounds represent situations that may pose unacceptable risks. Where a discretionary exclusion ground applies, contracting authorities have an option to exclude suppliers on a case-by-case basis. It is the responsibility of contracting authorities to consider whether bidders meet the grounds for exclusion, and if appropriate to then exclude them from a competition. Discretion provides contracting authorities with the flexibility to consider the list of factors that are relevant based on the procurement in question. As the list of factors and potentially applicable exclusion grounds that are relevant will change, based on the procurement and the relevant supplier’s circumstances, it would not be appropriate to set a general baseline as to how frequently suppliers should be excluded on the basis of discretionary grounds. Contracting authorities must notify the Procurement Review Unit in the Cabinet Office, via the notification form on the PRU landing page on gov.uk, within 30 days of excluding a supplier, stating the exclusions ground. JCHR Recommendation 23 23. The Government should review the actions of the Procurement Review Unit to assess if its investigations are taking account of all relevant evidence and are effectively informing the exclusion regime within 12 months of the enactment of the Procurement Act (February 2026). (Paragraph