Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that they awarded personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts to companies with records of human rights abuses; what steps they are taking in response to any such assessment; whether their requests for tenders for the supply of PPE stipulate that (1) the International Labour Organization minimum standards, (2) human rights legislation, or (3) their equivalent requirements, must be met; and what checks they undertake to ensure that those requirements are met before awarding any contract.

The Government’s guidance advises public sector contracting authorities on how to assess suppliers in terms of mitigating the risk of modern slavery. Contracts are normally placed in line with Departmental terms and conditions which include clauses requiring Good Industry Practice to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in supply chains. Suppliers appointed to our NHS Supply Chain frameworks must comply with the Labour Standards Assurance System or they can be removed from consideration for future opportunities.