- Landmark Health and Care Bill amendment will crack down on
the use of goods and services in the NHS tainted by modern
slavery
- Part of UK’s mission to eradicate slavery and human
trafficking in global supply chains
The government has tabled a landmark amendment to the Health and
Care Bill aiming to eradicate the use of goods and services in
the NHS that are tainted by slavery and human trafficking.
The amendment will help ensure the NHS, which is the biggest
public procurer in the country, is not buying or using goods or
services produced by or involving any kind of slave labour. This
represents a significant step forward in the UK’s mission to
crack down on the evils of modern slavery wherever it is found.
The power will allow tough regulations to be made which can set
out steps that the NHS should be taking to assess the level of
risk associated with individual suppliers, and the basis on which
they should exclude them from a tendering process.
Health and Social Care Secretary said:
“I want this to be a turning point in the UK’s mission to
eradicate slavery and human trafficking in supply chains around
the globe. As the biggest public procurer in the country, the NHS
is well placed to spearhead this work.”
Notes to editors
- The amendment was tabled on Thursday 21 April ahead of the
next stage of Commons Consideration of Lords Amendments for the
Health and Care Bill which will take place on Monday 25 April.
