Forced labour in UK value chains
Business and Trade Committee
Closed
Inquiry
The BEIS Committee is holding an inquiry which will explore the extent to which business in the UK are exploiting the forced labour of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region of China. The Committee will investigate the risks that UK based businesses face when engaging supply chains that originate in China …
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10
Recommendations
7
Conclusions
1
Report
1
Oral session
22
Letters
1
Event
Activity timeline 25 events
8 Jul
2021
2021
14 Jun
2021
2021
10 Jun
2021
2021
10 Jun
2021
2021
27 Apr
2021
2021
27 Apr
2021
2021
27 Apr
2021
2021
17 Mar
2021
2021
Report published
11 Dec
2020
2020
5 Nov
2020
2020
Oral evidence
16 Oct
2020
2020
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
5 Nov 2020
View on parliament.uk
Forced labour in UK value chains
Andrew Reaney · boohoo group
David Sävman · H&M Group
Elizabeth Kanter · TikTok
Hendrik Alpen · H&M Group
Jaycee Pribulsky · Nike
Maajid Nawaz · Quilliam International
Michael Warren · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Paul Scully MP · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
Sean Cady · VF Corporation
Reports 1 report · click to expand
| Title | HC No. | Published | Items | Response |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value cha… | HC 1272 | 17 Mar 2021 | 17 | Responded |
Recommendations & Conclusions
17 results
1
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
Given that evidence of serious human rights abuses in Xinjiang has been widely reported over...
Given that evidence of serious human rights abuses in Xinjiang has been widely reported over many years, we are appalled that companies still cannot guarantee that their supply chains are free from forced labour. We found that many companies asserted …
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Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's findings and expresses thanks, stating its commitment to ensuring UK organizations are not complicit in human rights violations in Xinjiang.
Department for Business and Trade
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2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
It is clearly unacceptable that Boohoo was found to have only minimal data about the...
It is clearly unacceptable that Boohoo was found to have only minimal data about the different tiers in their supply chain, resulting in labour abuses in the UK. Boohoo and other companies need to accurately audit their supply chains both …
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Government Response
The government offers a general acknowledgment, thanking the committee and stating its broad commitment to ensuring UK organizations are not complicit in human rights violations in Xinjiang.
Department for Business and Trade
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3
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We welcome TikTok’s offer to review its algorithm, and we will visit their offices to...
We welcome TikTok’s offer to review its algorithm, and we will visit their offices to do so with an expert team as soon as is possible. Meanwhile, we remain deeply concerned about the flow of information between TikTok UK, its …
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Government Response
The government thanks the Committee for its recommendations to businesses but does not specifically address the call for TikTok to publish independently verified governance and data flow arrangements, instead offering generic statements.
Department for Business and Trade
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4
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We are deeply disappointed that The Walt Disney Company declined our invitation to give oral...
We are deeply disappointed that The Walt Disney Company declined our invitation to give oral evidence, and to engage meaningfully with our inquiry. The Walt Disney Company has a responsibility to demonstrate that none of their actions supported oppression or …
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Government Response
The government thanks the committee for its report and reiterates its commitment to ensuring UK organisations are not complicit in human rights violations in Xinjiang, but does not specifically address the committee's disappointment regarding The Walt Disney Company.
Department for Business and Trade
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5
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We believe the Department must do more to meet its commitments to uphold human rights,...
We believe the Department must do more to meet its commitments to uphold human rights, particularly in relation to businesses with links to China. While transparency of supply chain legislation falls under the remit of the Home Office, business transactions …
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Government Response
The government thanked the Committee and stated its commitment to ensuring UK organisations are not complicit in human rights violations in Xinjiang, but did not outline specific urgent actions or how the Department will 'do more' as recommended.
Department for Business and Trade
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6
Recommendation
Rejected
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We recommend that the Department reviews the Company Directors Disqualification Act (1986) to determine whether...
We recommend that the Department reviews the Company Directors Disqualification Act (1986) to determine whether breaches of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 obligations on companies and directors should be the basis for future disqualification for company registration or director duties. …
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Government Response
The government rejected the recommendation to review the Company Directors Disqualification Act, stating they are not convinced of the case to pursue this approach at this time due to proportionality concerns regarding penalties for failing to publish modern slavery statements.
Department for Business and Trade
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7
Recommendation
Rejected
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
The Government cannot stand idly by while some companies keep operating with wilful blindness.
The Government cannot stand idly by while some companies keep operating with wilful blindness. We recommend the creation of a Director-led working group within the Department to tackle the ongoing lack of transparency in supply chains specifically linked to the …
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Government Response
The government rejects the recommendation for a new Director-led working group, stating that an existing cross-Government working group established in August 2020 already coordinates action on human rights in Xinjiang, including supply chain transparency.
Department for Business and Trade
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8
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
In addition, we call on the Government to report to the Committee on the feasibility...
In addition, we call on the Government to report to the Committee on the feasibility and legal basis of further measures in respect of supply chains linked to Xinjiang, including i) a whitelist of companies that have taken significant and …
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Government Response
The government will not create the requested public whitelist/blacklist but announced that the FCDO will provide guidance to UK government bodies to exclude suppliers with sufficient evidence of human rights abuses in their supply chains on a case-by-case basis. They also highlighted existing guidance for businesses and a new government-run registry for modern slavery statements.
Department for Business and Trade
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9
Conclusion
Accepted
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
The Transparency in Supply Chains legislation in the Modern Slavery Act was important when it...
The Transparency in Supply Chains legislation in the Modern Slavery Act was important when it was first introduced, but it has not kept pace with changes in business supply chains. The Modern Slavery Act is out of date, has no …
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Government Response
The government defends the pioneering nature of the Modern Slavery Act but acknowledges the need for improvement, stating it committed to strengthening the legislation in September 2020. It reiterates its expectation for businesses to be vigilant and conduct due diligence.
Department for Business and Trade
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10
Conclusion
Accepted
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
The Department’s commitment to working with other ministries to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act and...
The Department’s commitment to working with other ministries to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act and Transparency in Supply Chain legislation is welcome. However, there is little evidence that BEIS-specific issues around corporate governance and audit regulations are being given sufficient …
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Government Response
The government notes this conclusion and details actions taken or planned to address corporate governance and audit regulations, including working with the Home Office on Modern Slavery Act enforcement, publishing a White Paper consultation on audit, and planning to legislate on corporate transparency.
Department for Business and Trade
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11
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We are disappointed by the Government’s refusal to commit to a clear timetable for making...
We are disappointed by the Government’s refusal to commit to a clear timetable for making changes to the Modern Slavery Act. We recommend that the Government strengthen the supply chain transparency obligations for companies and introduce tough fines for non-compliance …
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Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, committing to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act 2015 by extending reporting requirements to public bodies, enhancing transparency through a new digital service, and introducing financial penalties, to be legislated as parliamentary time allows.
Department for Business and Trade
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12
Recommendation
Not Addressed
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We further recommend that the Government a) accelerate its plans to extend the reporting requirement...
We further recommend that the Government a) accelerate its plans to extend the reporting requirement to public bodies, b) enhance the transparency and accessibility of modern slavery statements, and c) develop options for civil penalties for non-compliance. We ask the …
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Government Response
The government states that BEIS has worked with the Home Office to support the development and strengthening of modern slavery statement provisions, but provides no specific commitment or plan for the committee's recommendations.
Department for Business and Trade
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13
Conclusion
Not Addressed
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We are disappointed that Magnitsky sanctions have not yet been imposed on Chinese officials implicated...
We are disappointed that Magnitsky sanctions have not yet been imposed on Chinese officials implicated in human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Given that the US Government has imposed such targeted sanctions, we do not accept the argument that the UK …
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Government Response
The government's response discusses the development and enforcement of modern slavery statements, which does not address the committee's disappointment regarding Magnitsky sanctions on Chinese officials.
Department for Business and Trade
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14
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We recommend that the Department, in collaboration with the FCDO and DIT, fully assess the...
We recommend that the Department, in collaboration with the FCDO and DIT, fully assess the options for introducing targeted sanctions against Chinese and international businesses implicated in human rights abuses and the exploitation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang. (Paragraph 68) BEIS …
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Government Response
The government states that it has already imposed asset freezes and travel bans against those responsible for human rights violations in Xinjiang on March 22, and announced a review into export controls on January 12.
Department for Business and Trade
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15
Conclusion
Accepted
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We were disappointed that the information provided by the Minister about the deployment of BEIS...
We were disappointed that the information provided by the Minister about the deployment of BEIS Department ODA funding in China only gave a high-level overview of the various research and training programmes taking place in China under the umbrella of …
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Government Response
The government agrees transparency is important for ODA funding in China and states its commitment to improving data management. It highlights existing measures, including a 'Good' transparency score, new data systems, and a recent ICAI audit finding its approach robust, which it argues ensures effective oversight.
Department for Business and Trade
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16
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
We recommend that the Department commit to full transparency in terms of its ODA funding...
We recommend that the Department commit to full transparency in terms of its ODA funding being used in China to ensure that no Government funds are being used to underpin human rights abuses. The use of taxpayer funds needs to …
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Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of transparency for ODA funding in China and states it is committed to improving data management. It highlights existing robust measures, including anti-slavery provisions in allocation letters and a recent ICAI audit finding its approach robust, which address the recommendation.
Department for Business and Trade
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17
Recommendation
Accepted
Fifth Report - Uyghur forced labou…
The Department should also publish a comprehensive supply chain review of Newton Fund-supported projects in...
The Department should also publish a comprehensive supply chain review of Newton Fund-supported projects in China and provide the Committee with a full list of the organisations it works with in administering the Newton Fund and the sums of money …
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Government Response
The government agreed on the need for greater transparency and is introducing a new digital data submission tool for Newton Fund partner organisations to report detailed expenditure, individual grants, and awards, which will help address the request for a list of organisations and sums of money.
Department for Business and Trade
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Correspondence 22 letters
8 Jul 2021
To committee
Letter from the Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets relating to the Committee's report on Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
Parliament page
14 Jun 2021
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to TikTok relating to their invitation to visit TikTok’s Transparency and Accountability Centre
Parliament page
10 Jun 2021
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to the Minister on the Government's response to the Committee's report on Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
Parliament page
27 Apr 2021
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to The Walt Disney Company regarding evidence submitted to the Forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
27 Apr 2021
To committee
Letter from The Walt Disney Company to the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP in response to the Committee’s Forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
27 Apr 2021
To committee
Letter from the Corporate Justice Coalition regarding the Committee’s report on Uyghur forced labour in Xinjiang and UK value chains
Parliament page
11 Dec 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Hikvision regarding the Forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Stella McCartney regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to The North Face (VF Corporation) regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Nike regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to The Walt Disney Company regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Marks and Spencer regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Zara (Inditex), regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Victoria’s Secret regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Adidas regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Amazon regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to BooHoo Group regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Gap (Gap Inc.) regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to H&M Group regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to IKEA regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to Puma regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page
16 Oct 2020
To committee
Letter from the Chair and Nusrat Ghani MP to TikTok (ByteDance) regarding the forced labour in UK value chains inquiry
Parliament page