Baroness Sugg (Con)

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Alton, for bringing this debate to the House and I commend the Joint Committee on Human Rights for a report that is both sobering and constructive. Its central conclusion, that goods produced through forced labour are entering UK supply chains, should concern us all. As the report argues, in comparison with our main international trading partners, the UK is falling behind. A country that rightly takes pride in its leadership on modern slavery must ensure that its own market does not become a route for exploitation. I approach this debate with two principles held together: our responsibility to tackle forced labour and uphold human rights, and the need for a regulatory environment that supports responsible business rather than placing unnecessary burdens on it. The committee is right to highlight that many British companies are already investing significant time and resource into tracing suppliers, improving transparency and mitigating risks. They do so because it is morally right but also because their consumers increasingly expect it. Yet these responsible firms can find themselves undercut by competitors which take a less rigorous approach. That is not fair competition and is one reason why this debate matters. At the same time, we must recognise the pressures that businesses face. Many sectors are navigating inflation, supply-chain disruption and tight margins. Additional mandatory requirements, particularly if introduced without careful design, could impose substantial new costs. The committee’s proposals on mandatory human rights due diligence and import controls are serious and deserve consideration, but they would mark a shift in the UK’s regulatory landscape. So, before moving in that direction, we need clarity, evidence and a full understanding of the economic implications, as well as ensuring their efficacy in tackling forced labour. I welcome the Minister to his position and would be grateful if he could address three points. I am happy to take his responses in writing. First, as the noble Lord, Lord Alton, asked, when will the Government publish their responsible business conduct review and the national baseline assessment on the UN guiding principles? Those documents will be essential for informed policy-making. Secondly, how will the cumulative impact of potential new due diligence requirements on small and medium-sized enterprises be assessed? Thirdly, can the Minister confirm that any future proposals, whether on due diligence or import controls, will be developed in close consultation with business, with a clear understanding of sector-specific risks and the need to maintain competitiveness? The UK should never be a market for goods produced through coercion or abuse, but our response must be effective, targeted, proportionate and workable. The task before us is to protect those being exploited, while supporting responsible business. I hope that today’s debate helps us move closer to achieving both.