To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the recent report by the Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute of the University of Sheffield which claims that supply chain audits fail to detect labour and environmental abuses.
Answered on
8 February 2016
This answer is a correction from the original answer.
The Government has made no assessment of this report. UK businesses are required to comply with all applicable laws, including those relating to labour and environmental matters in the supply chain. In addition, company law requires eligible businesses to report on social, environmental and human rights matters where this is necessary for an understanding of their business.
Original answer
The Government has made no assessment of this report. There is no requirement for any UK business to audit its supply chain or what such an audit should include – this is a matter for individual businesses. UK businesses are, however, required to comply with all applicable laws, including those relating to labour and environmental matters. In addition, company law requires eligible businesses to report on social, environmental and human rights matters where this is necessary for an understanding of their business.