Modern Slavery Statement
Annual statement required of UK organisations above £36M turnover describing steps taken to prevent modern slavery in operations and supply chains.
Definition
A Modern Slavery Statement is the annual statement that UK organisations above £36M total annual turnover must publish under section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. The statement describes the steps the organisation has taken to ensure modern slavery is not taking place in its operations or supply chains. Many public sector buyers expect suppliers to publish a statement regardless of turnover threshold, and the topic is widely covered at the Selection Questionnaire stage of procurement.
How it works in practice
The statutory requirement applies to UK businesses with annual turnover above £36M. The statement should be approved by the board (or equivalent), signed by a director, published on the organisation's website, and referenced in the annual report. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 specifies the optional content areas: the organisation's structure and supply chains, policies in relation to slavery and human trafficking, due diligence processes, parts of the business and supply chains where there is risk of slavery, performance indicators used to measure effectiveness, training. While the content list is optional, Home Office guidance and the Modern Slavery Registry expect coverage of all areas. Public sector procurement increasingly probes statement quality beyond mere publication: the Selection Questionnaire typically asks for the statement and asks specific follow-up questions on supply chain due diligence, training, and recent improvements. The Modern Slavery Act has been under consultation for substantive reform; expected changes include extending the requirement to lower-turnover organisations, mandatory content sections, and stronger penalties for non-publication. Suppliers should treat the statement as a live document refreshed annually rather than a one-off compliance exercise; older or thin statements increasingly attract evaluation scepticism.
Common questions
Do I need a Modern Slavery Statement to bid for public sector?
For above-£36M turnover organisations yes, statutorily required regardless of public sector bidding. For below-£36M organisations many public sector buyers still ask for a statement at the Selection Questionnaire stage, treating it as good practice rather than statutory compliance. Strong below-threshold statements demonstrate organisational maturity even where not strictly required.
How often must the statement be updated?
Annually under section 54 Modern Slavery Act 2015. Statements should be approved by the board, signed by a director, and published within six months of the financial year end. Older statements that have not been refreshed attract evaluation scepticism: a statement dated 2022 in a 2026 bid suggests the topic is not actively managed.
What should the statement cover?
Organisational structure and supply chains, policies, due diligence processes, risk assessment by part of business, performance indicators, and training. Home Office guidance and the Modern Slavery Registry expect coverage of all six areas. Statement quality matters: short generic statements score lower than substantive ones evidencing specific due diligence actions.