Definition
Modern Slavery Act 2015
The law requiring transparency on forced labour risks.
The Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires larger UK businesses to publish an annual statement setting out the steps taken to prevent slavery and human trafficking in their operations and supply chains. Public sector tenders commonly ask bidders to confirm compliance and, where applicable, provide a link to their published statement.
Who must publish a statement
The statutory duty to publish a modern slavery statement applies to commercial organisations carrying on business in the UK with an annual turnover above the threshold set out in the Act, currently £36 million. Smaller suppliers below this threshold are not legally required to publish a statement but are often still asked in tenders to confirm their approach to preventing modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
What tenders typically ask for
- Confirmation of whether the Modern Slavery Act's publication duty applies to the bidder
- A link to the current published statement, where one exists, signed off by a director
- A description of due diligence processes covering subcontractors and supply chains
- Evidence of staff training or policies addressing labour exploitation risks
Practical risks for suppliers
Buyers are increasingly interested in supply chain visibility, particularly for sectors with known labour exploitation risk such as construction, cleaning, catering and social care. Suppliers relying heavily on subcontractors or agency labour should be able to show what checks are carried out further down the chain, not just at their own organisational level.
Frequently asked questions
- Do all suppliers need a modern slavery statement to bid?
- Only organisations meeting the statutory turnover threshold are legally required to publish one. Smaller suppliers can usually confirm this in the tender response and instead describe proportionate internal policies on ethical labour practices, which is normally acceptable to buyers.
- Where should a modern slavery statement be published?
- It should be published prominently on the organisation's own website, typically linked from the homepage or a dedicated policies page, and signed by a director or equivalent senior person. Tenders often ask for the direct URL, so keep it current and easy to find.
- What happens if a supplier's supply chain is found to have modern slavery risks?
- This is a serious compliance and reputational issue; buyers may require an action plan, additional audits, or in severe cases could treat it as a ground for contract termination. Proactive due diligence and honest disclosure during tendering is treated far more favourably than issues emerging later undisclosed.
Related terms