Private Members' Modern Slavery Bill dropped but the Modern Slavery Act 2015 remains fully in force
The Modern Slavery (Transparency in Supply Chains) Bill has effectively been dropped by its sponsoring MP and will not progress any further.
The Modern Slavery (Transparency in Supply Chains) Bill would have required in scope commercial organisations and public bodies to include a statement on slavery and human trafficking in their annual report and accounts; and contracting authorities to exclude from procurement procedures economic operators who have not provided such a statement. However, the Bill has effectively been dropped by its sponsoring MP and will not progress any further.
Organisations could and arguably should choose to adopt some or all of the changes in the Bill on a voluntary basis, as part of their approach to combating modern slavery in their organisation and its supply chains. Excluding such economic operators from a procurement process is relatively straightforward and should help the contracting authority 'sleep at night'. An authority ought to view a 'cut and paste' statement as providing little if any reassurance. Adding the statement to the annual report and accounts is likely to become common place and be expected. Little additional work is required and the reputation of the organisation is enhanced. Adding the statement avoids an organisation having to explain its absence.
Author
Raymond Silverstein
Partner
raymond.silverstein@brownejacobson.com
+44 (0)207 337 1021
Discover more
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Top five takeaways for schools on the Employment Rights Bill
Legal Update
Martyn's Law: A closer look at the UK's new proposed anti-terror measures
Opinion
Law Commission initial consultation published on reforming Part 2 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
In Person Event
Claims Club: Birmingham
In Person Event
Claims Club: London
Opinion
Power for local authorities to conduct compulsory rental auctions of vacant high street properties to come into force next month
Legal Update
Building an inclusive workplace: strategies for attracting and retaining disabled talent
Legal Update
What will the new RISE Scheme mean for schools and academy trusts?
On-Demand
How schools can grapple with new employment law to thrive in a new era
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises The Jordon Group on transformative merger
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises Clean Power Hydrogen on global IP licence agreement
On-Demand
Kinship care: DJ v Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and SG
Legal Update
Roundtable report: Community engagement in high street regeneration
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises UK’s leading fire protection specialist on key acquisition
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises IT solutions specialist on sale to Goldman Sachs-backed international digital transformation provider
Online Event
EdCon 2025
Legal Update
Breaking the glass ceiling: Empowering female leadership in the food and drink sector
Online Event
Transforming tensions: A panel discussion on proactive complaints management
In Person Event
Public sector planning club
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters: October 2024
Legal Update
CJEU confirms that copyright law is the same for all claimants
Legal Update
EasyGroup proceedings defeated by jurisdictional challenge
Legal Update
New amendments to the Civil Procedure Rules and their impact
Legal Update - Employment Rights Bill
What does the Employment Rights Bill mean for employment practices liability insurance?
Press Release
Browne Jacobson sponsors public sector think tank on new report
Online Event
Navigating subsidy control regeneration and infrastructure projects webinar
Legal Update
Supreme Court clarifies public authority liability: Police duty of care in negligence cases
Opinion - Employment Rights Bill
Beyond the Bill: Exploring the horizon of new employment rights and proposed measures
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises London Borough of Sutton on major town centre regeneration
Legal Update - Employment Rights Bill
Labour’s employment law reforms: Employment Rights Bill unveiled
Legal Update
Expanding the role of school attendance mentors
Online Event
Managing safeguarding allegations against staff
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises UK climbing operator on sale to Belgian investment firm
Press Release
Browne Jacobson to provide legal services to public bodies across UK after appointment on inaugural YPO framework
Legal Update
Organisational approaches to ESG and sustainability matters
Legal Update
Balancing acts: Navigating the complex risks in adult social care provision
Legal Update - Procurement Act
What suppliers to the Welsh public sector need to know about the Procurement Act 2023
Legal Update
What the UK Covid-19 Inquiry means for higher education providers
Opinion
New anticipatory duty to prevent sexual harassment at work: final EHRC guidance published
