Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many bricks the UK imports from South Asia and other countries in the Global South; and what steps they are taking to ensure that their production does not involve child labour, conditions which could lead to poor health or the exploitation of workers.

In 2022 the UK imported £11.4 million (around 38 thousand tonnes) of bricks from the Global South, of which £4.6 million (around 10 thousand tonnes) were from South Asia.

The UK is a leading country in confronting the scourge of modern slavery and committed to working with partners to achieve sustainability in our supply chains. The Modern Slavery Act requires businesses with a turnover of £36m or more to publish modern slavery statements annually to report on the steps taken to prevent modern slavery.

The UK has ratified nine ILO Fundamental Conventions, including on the abolition of child labour and forced labour.