VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Minerals: Xinjiang

Asked by Alex SobelLabour (Co-op)Department for Business and TradeTabled Answered 19 June 2025UIN 60660

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the use of Uyghur slave labour in supply chains that include critical minerals.

Answered by Mr Douglas Alexander

This Government will continue to speak up on human rights in China, including the repression of people in Xinjiang, and will continue to hold China to account.

The new Critical Minerals Strategy will help secure the supply of critical minerals vital for the UK’s economic growth and clean energy transition. The strategy will promote responsible and transparent supply chains, including through greater adoption of responsible business practices to protect local communities and the environment.

We will continue to assess and monitor the effectiveness of the UK’s existing measures, alongside the impacts of new policy tools to tackle forced labour in supply chains, and take action where appropriate.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim