Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, pursuant to the Answer of 19 March 2025 to Question 37365, whether he is taking steps with other Departments to eradicate the use of forced labour in energy-related global supply chains.

We are working across Government - particularly alongside the Home Office, Cabinet Office, DBT and FCDO - to comprehensively tackle the use of forced labour in global supply chains.

At present, the Government is considering how Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 can be strengthened, including possible penalties for non-compliance, and is working to update statutory guidance. The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February, enables public sector contracting authorities to terminate contracts and reject bids from suppliers who are known to use forced labour themselves or anywhere in their supply chain.