Overseas Trade: Forced Labour
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the report entitled Classification of the audit at SAIC-Volkswagen (Xinjiang) Automotive Ltd, published in September 2024, what steps the Government is taking to ensure products entering UK markets do not use forced labour in their supply chains; and if he will have discussions with counterparts in China on ensuring the accuracy of audits for the purposes of ensuring that products being sold in the UK do not use forced labour in their production.
Answered by Mr Douglas Alexander
No company should have forced labour in its supply chains. This Government is committed to working with international partners and businesses to ensure global supply chains are free from human and labour rights abuses. The Government is reviewing how we can best tackle forced labour in supply chains.
The UK consistently raises human rights issues at the highest levels with the Chinese authorities. The Government’s overseas business risk guidance sets out the risks of operating in Xinjiang and urges UK companies to conduct appropriate due diligence and consider their corporate responsibilities when making business decisions.
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