Updated Guidance On Modern Slavery Supply Chain Transparency Statements

Modern slavery has been described by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, as "the great human rights issue of our time". The Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires large organisations to publish statements on their website setting out the steps that they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their own organisation and in their supply chains. After just over a year of compliance with the new regime, the Government has issued updated guidance on preparing and publishing transparency statements.

This comes at a time when Members of the House of Lords have called for tougher measures to ensure compliance and effectiveness of such statements. Two Private Members Bills are also currently before the House of Lords seeking to strengthen the regime. First, the Modern Slavery (Victim Support) Bill makes provision for identifying and supporting victims of modern slavery. The Modern Slavery (Transparency in Supply Chains) Bill meanwhile calls for enhanced obligations in relation