Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the oral evidence of 7 January 2025 given by Shein to the Business and Trade Select Committee, HC 370, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the compliance by Shein with slave labour legislation.

The Government is committed to tackling modern slavery, ensuring that victims are provided with the support they need to begin rebuilding their lives and that those responsible are prosecuted. All businesses should monitor their supply chains with rigour to uncover, report where appropriate, and remedy any instances of modern slavery they may find in their operations and supply chains.

Under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, commercial businesses who operate in the UK and have a turnover of £36m or more must report annually on the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains by publishing an annual modern slavery statement. Businesses must ensure their statement has been approved by the Board, signed by a director and is available via the homepage of their website. They should publish the statement within 6 months of their financial year end.

While Section 54 was primarily designed to increase transparency, allowing scrutiny by consumers, investors, and civil society, the Government is considering how it can strengthen the Section 54 regime, including penalties for non-compliance.

The Home Office is currently working with a wide group of stakeholders from business, academia, and civil society to update the Section 54 Modern Slavery Act statutory guidance. This will further support businesses to produce high quality statements, which are underpinned by effective measures to prevent and effectively respond to instances of modern slavery in supply chains.