UK Issues New Guidance on Modern Slavery in Supply Chains
- Stop Trafficking
- Aug 17
- 3 min read
In March 2025, the UK Home Office issued the first major revision in almost a decade to its statutory guidance on supply chain transparency under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. This update followed a critical report by the House of Lords Modern Slavery Act Committee, which warned that the UK had “fallen behind” in its approach and needed clearer standards for companies to follow.
A Stronger Focus on Real Change
The new guidance strengthens expectations on businesses, particularly large organisations with turnovers of £36 million or more, which must publish annual modern slavery statements. These statements must now go beyond vague wording and include details of risk assessments, policies, due diligence, training, and monitoring.
Importantly, the guidance brings remediation to the forefront. As it explains:
“There is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to remediation… The individuals who have experienced harm, and their satisfaction with the remedy offered should be at the centre of the organisation’s approach.”
This shift means that victims’ voices must finally be placed at the heart of the response — not as an afterthought, but as the measure of whether businesses are truly making a difference.
Aligning With Global Standards
The UK guidance now explicitly ties itself to international frameworks such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct. This signals that UK companies are expected to meet the same standards as those in countries with stronger anti-slavery regimes.
Businesses are encouraged to dig deeper into their supply chains, engage with stakeholders, and show genuine year-on-year improvement. The days of “tick-box” reporting and boilerplate statements are being left behind.
The Free From Slavery Plan
At Stop Trafficking Worldwide, we welcome this development and believe it can go further.
Our Free From Slavery plan is built on four key pillars:
Civic Engagement – equipping communities, schools, and businesses to spot the signs of exploitation and take action.
Corporate Responsibility – supporting organisations to strengthen their reporting and make meaningful commitments.
Victim Support and Remediation – ensuring survivors are heard, protected, and given the chance to rebuild their lives.
Innovation and Labelling – introducing Free From Slavery labelling, so consumers can easily identify and support ethical products and companies that meet the highest anti-slavery standards.
This labelling will give power back to consumers, helping them choose supply chains free from exploitation while rewarding businesses that take their responsibilities seriously. Just as “Fairtrade” reshaped how we think about coffee and chocolate, “Free From Slavery” has the potential to transform markets and push companies to raise their standards.
Moving Forward
The revised guidance is a step in the right direction. While it is not yet legally enforceable, pressure is mounting — with the House of Lords Committee calling for sanctions and penalties for companies that fail to comply.
As Jon Tuck and David Yadid, authors of the compliance review, observe:
“Compliance (or the lack thereof) is moving into the spotlight… These developments point not only to a growing enforcement arsenal, but also to a more involved government that may be increasingly prepared to use it.”
For businesses, the message is clear: it is no longer enough to do the bare minimum. For campaigners like us, it is a chance to push forward initiatives like Free From Slavery labelling that can empower consumers, protect victims, and drive meaningful change.
Together, we can create a future where people, supply chains, and communities are truly Free From Slavery.
Comments