Tom Gordon MP Presses Lord Chancellor on Legal Reform to Combat Forced Labour in Global Supply Chains

At a session of the Joint Committee on Human Rights this week, Liberal Democrat MP, Tom Gordon, challenged the Lord Chancellor to address serious gaps in the UK’s legal framework that, it is believed, are allowing goods linked to forced labour abroad to enter the country and be sold to consumers. 

Citing evidence that tomatoes processed in China under forced labour conditions are being sold in UK supermarkets as Italian produce, and that as many as 1 in 5 cotton garments globally may be tied to forced labour in Xinjiang, Mr Gordon called for urgent clarity and action from the Government.

Tom put three questions to the Lord Chancellor, on the impact on the UK legal system of hearing cases involving forced labour that occurred in another jurisdiction, whether the Government would consider creating a duty for companies to prevent forced labour in their supply chains, with provision for civil liabilities for failing to comply, and whether the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 be used to secure accountability for companies and individuals profiting from goods linked to forced labour.

Tom’s intervention raised pressing questions about whether the UK’s existing civil and criminal frameworks—particularly the Proceeds of Crime Act—are fit for purpose in addressing the modern realities of globalised exploitation. Tom’s questions over legal reform reflects growing concern that the UK’s current approach is lacking, and failing to provide justice for victims abroad.

Commenting, Tom said:

"Despite the Government’s stated intention that no company operating in the UK should profit from forced labour, our laws are falling short. We have clear evidence that products linked to modern slavery are making it onto UK shelves, yet companies are not being held accountable.

“The law must do more to protect consumers and victims alike and ensure that ethical business is not undercut by exploitation. Just because the forced labour is happening overseas doesn’t mean we can ignore it.”

ENDS